With the situation defusing, the ale went back to flowing and the ones in the gaming table seemed to get content among them once again. Except, the aristocratic giant was happy to join them as they left.

The band resumed playing, and the couple went back to dancing.  Little by little everything settled into a sense of normalcy.

Then a woman entered the Green Dragon. She approached the bar and gave the bartender a scroll with a few dragons. "Please, it is of the upmost urgency"

Give me a perception/sense motive check, or you can ask nicely...

Stelian glanced over to in the direction of the sudden movement. He expected to hear a drink request so his brows furrowed when one didn't seem forthcoming.


Stelian rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Sense Motive

Dropping down below the bar, the rogue looks up slowly. His eyes pealed upon the parchment and the ones who may read it. How dare her! Don't they realize its a trap? They read it and they...they...

Poof. Deader then a doornail.

But Valus is curious nonetheless. Plus bloodshed other then himself didn't harm him right? Upmost urgency? Please. I bet she's a goblin in a really good disguise! No that makes no sense! I bet its the dancer out to kill him. Oh yes....

His eyes narrow as he studies the woman that approached the bar. And the ones who's dancing! No way that harlet will take him down! He's having a good day...thanks to the one who left.

Jingle jingle goes the pouch.

09:55, Today: Valus rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Sense Motive-The Dancer! (If possible).

09:54, Today: Valus rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Sense Motive-Dragon Lady.

 "Humans are defined by our pain, the way we carry it and how it transforms us..."

Humans are the very definition of pain, they carry it, transforming the lives of others through their folly. Keen left the quip on his lips, unuttered for the sake of futility. How could he expect this man, drunk at that, to understand?

"...the booze just reveals who we really are. My name is Stelian."

There was the slightest hesitation. It almost seemed like the Strix was surprised by the gesture.

"Keen Eid." Keen accepted the hand, his long and talon-nailed fingers curling confidently around the mutual grip. "Pleasure for you to make my acquaintanssssse." His smirk punctuated his greeting and obscured his intent. The tattoo on the back of his hand - black and grey linework of a grinning dragon head - almost looked like it was smiling in the shifting of the light.

Keen released Stelian's hand just a little too slowly, then turned his head to order a drink on the man's coin. Just as he turned his head, he noticed the woman's coin-filled approach and urgent plea. Humans were always full of surprises.

Rolled 28 Perception

Viktoria had been up in the room she'd rented looking through the newest acquisition of baubles. There was a Jade and a Sapphire that had stood out as more valuable than the others.

Viktoria wasn't really the edgy, sulk in the corner and plot murder type who pretended they didn't want attention while simultaneously drawing as much attention to themselves as possible. But she also had in fact, wanted her privacy. What it was, was the bards stopping and some rowdy commotion. Viktoria hadn't been privvy to it at all, but she had been listening to the music. The cello. Or bass. Or something. The big wooden one. Viktoria had liked the way it sounded sad and hidden behind other instruments.

When the musicians stopped it had annoyed Viktoria. And it reminded her that her food had not been brought to her. So down the steps she came, one foot in front of the other, with an intentionally and unmistakably miffed expression on her face. Viktoria's blonde hair was a loose mess. She was wearing a tight fitting, low cut, sleeveless maroon dress with silver trim and a black and gray floral corset to flatter the curves. She had on red sandals and forearm length matching gloves. Her lips and toenails were painted ruby red too. Viktoria had on dangly silver earrings set with onyx and a black velvety choker adorned with a ruby.

Viktoria walked with purpose right passed everyone up to the bartender. By the time she'd gotten there the musicians had resumed. So while her resting bitch face may have softened somewhat, there was still the matter of her food...food that included Pecan Pie.

"Excuse me." She announced, politely at first, but ready to butt in if necessary.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Sun 11 July 2021.

The bartender received the scroll and looked at it. It was a nice looking one with a golden seal and it was made of very fine parchment. She mad an announcement. "There is an urgent job, it should take about two weeks travel coming and going across the mountains. If you want to partake, come with me for the details. This should be a quick and easy job with no complications." She left the spot behind the bar before calling to one of the servers. "Cover me, this will be quick." She said before going to a close room and opening the door. She awaited at the portal awaiting for all volunteers to enter.

The goblin seems interested but really wants the scroll yet its words written in ink. They will kill him if he reads them! Evil words! Valus watches what is going on, finishing his ale. He drops down, ponders something and walks by the dancer. He taps his hands and then rubs the back of his neck before going over to the door. But his eyes dart up to this odd woman that entered that had the scroll. An adventure? Could be fun or could be death. Only live once but everyone here will probably not trust him and want him dead. Course they don't know him and probably will want him dead anyways! Yet they may need him for his interesting stuff. But he has his 'steed'....

"Well, damn. He seemed amusing. Ah well, at least the job he was talking about might pan out." Thought Lady Yesgrace Stonerabbit. She'd mostly eaten her fill, and at least gotten enough ale and wine in her that the scars she'd picked up on the long road seemed a little faded.

She grabbed a hilariously oversized (for her) mug of ale (it was the weak kind designed to quench thirst: she enjoyed drinking but she knew she was no dwarf) and took it with her into the next room.

As she did so, she noted the goblin, who seemed to be the first to enter.

"Oh, hello there. I've not met a goblin before. How curious!

I'm Lady Yesgrace Stonerabbit, a pleasure."


She refrained from the full curtsy of course.
Unless the goblin turned out to be nobility, but he didn't seem the type. Did goblins have nobles? If they did surely there would be some kind of heraldry or something? Ah well, her mind was wandering.

Stelian nodded and followed the bartender through the portal and into the room beyond. He raised his cub in a mock salute as he entered, greeting all those within the room, before he found a seat.

"Ahh...that's nice.
Steilian said as he sat.

Viktoria had been trying to get the bartender's attention. Her hand was extended up and a little pointed. Her mouth opened, closed, opened, and then finally closed again. She blinked twice without words. How rude...

Unwittingly, Viktoria trailed along behind the goblin...it was a goblin she was pretty sure. Maybe an orc child? But what would an orc child be doing in a place like this? The same thing an adult orc would be doing, getting into trouble, probably even for something he or she didn't even do. Viktoria had missed the noble lady's name and what her actual social rank was because she was distracted with her own thought. She made a mental note to find out later and to not let it slip she was distracted. That would be terribly awkward.

Viktoria put mind to task and patiently waited, standing tall, but not in the way or interrupting anyone.

Interesting...

Keen had seen the paper in the messenger's hand. Something of lords, of pleas, of privacy. The Strix's lips curved as he curled a finger towards Loft. He would need them near. Things were certainly about to get even more amusing.

As if on cue, the Lady in Red descended the stairs with an air of dissatisfaction, the kind that always brought a smile to Keen's mouth. Humans in most any state of misery felt as though things were growing closer to their natural state. She'd approached the bar, and he left his eye on her, wondering if she too noticed the words on the paper.

He doubted it.

Like most everyone else in the room, Keen's attention was caught by the bartender's announcement. It was only unfortunate that his drink would have to wait. He whispered to Loft in a series of clicks, hisses, and rattles as they made their way into the room.

"-et a goblin before. How curious! I'm Lady Yesgrace Stonerabbit, a pleasure."

Well, it seemed this was truly noble business, which only confirmed Keen's need to be present. he was sure Strix belonged anywhere nobility found itself. Though the goblin was certainly someone he wouldn't have expected. Had they been in this bar the whole time?

Even the Lady in Red followed inside. Interesting, considering her distraught mood from earlier. At least for now, Keen would find her to be his favorite.

The two Strix stood against the wall; Keen used his wings as a buffer to cushion his leaned position. He held the air of someone who expected to be expected, and he sighed as though bothered by the announcement.

The goblin waits, watching the dancer. He pokes his head through the odd portal and looks at the halfling. He doesn't go fully in and then brings himself back into the tavern. Valus seems somewhat startled and sits down, under the table within the inn. Eyes on the portal then on the dancers. Back and forth. This has been a really odd day. Lady Yesgrace Stonerabbit. Three names? Why not stick to one? Easier. He shrugs. Back and forth. Watching.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:38, Tue 13 July 2021.

The woman dancing chuckled,  and the commotion around the area seemed to die off fairly quickly.

The bartender proceeded to close the door, not giving Valus much chance to move out again. She was very solemn about the matter. "Thank you for getting involved. Now, what I'm about to tell you requires the upmost secrecy from all of you. You will be handsomely rewarded for your silence and for you completing this task quickly and seamlessly."

"One of the magistrates of the city is Lord Kolyana. He has caught a severe illness recently and might not make it past the month. The job is to locate his strangled daughter and bring her to the City on time. She is living in Narwell across the Gnarley Forest so locating her should pose no problem. This job wouldn't even be a job of not for the fact that miss Kolyana being away and the magistrate's health need to be kept secret, because otherwise we risk a political crisis. The reward for this task is ten thousand orbs per head, plus your expenses and five thousand more for your discretion."

The goblin stares up at the barkeep. Its a free country and he locks him here with these people? Valus finds a comfortable spot...under a tables. His eyes dart from one person to the next as if expecting more trouble. He listens to what is said. Go to the girl, keep her safe. Bring her home. Got it. Handsome? Yeah he is. Seems like he didn't get the whole jist of what is going on but apparently he is going on a adventure without any knowledge and thrust with a group that will kill him.

Sounds like fun.

Peering up from the table all he gets is "Orbs?"

"Ummm...hi." Viktoria finally piped up and sheepishly waved. "Not to sound obtuse, but you said the daughter is strangled? But living? Undead then?" She glanced between the goblin, the winged guy, and the guy who had sat down. Then the halfling that seemed to have a knack for utility.

Finally back at the tender. "I don't want to sound particularly ungrateful either, but that is quite a sum of money. How much of that are you willing to front for the purposes of preparation? As someone not from either area, details on travel, lodging, local disputes, or other potential avenues of trouble would also be invaluable." Viktoria paused. Her voice was smoky. Alurring.

Stelian nodded.

Estranged daughter-this would be interesting. "I am in." he said with the finality of a man who had done considerable deliberation. "Although I can not promise how seamlessly everything will be-these political affairs can be quite messing..." Stelian said while pondering the others.

Sitting down his drink it looked under the tables to see were the disembodied voice came from.

"Oh, oh-my! Aren't you a charming fellow..."

Lady Yesgrace wrinkled her nose.

"I have... concerns.

You have said that this woman is estranged from her father. I do not know the particulars or level of rancor, but I must ask this: what happens if she simply refuses to return?

I am all to happy to help escort a young woman through danger so that she can say good bye to her father and help her country. Such a plight moves me (and the coin is welcome, of course).

But, I am a Stonerabbit: I do not kidnap people."

No, she was the sort who KILLED kidnappers. She did not consider herself a particularly righteous person. Nobles needed to have some idea how the sausage was made to rule decently, or at least not ask questions about the feast.

However, she'd just been in that situation a few months ago, and she had no desire to put anyone through that particular situation.

The goblin gives the cleric one hell of a look as he glances under the stable. Charming fellow? Seriously? Valus is pretty armed with two blades upon his back and whatever is hidden on his person. He backs away from the man and darts under a different table making sure no one was near it. His ears perk up and he leans out from under the table. Whats a Orb he ponders. Pulling out a dagger, he taps it against the floor.

A quick and easy job with no complications was what they said out there, but humans are NEVER without complications.

"Orbs?"

Keen tilted his head as he shot the goblin a look. "It's moniesss, little fiend. Moniesss."

Despite Keen's...biases, his perceptions weren't completely subjective. The Lady in Red asked some much needed questions, the drunk one made an astute observation, and the halfling (a non-human noble? Meh. It's a step up. Or down?) exhibited an appropriate amount of caution.

"But, I am a Stonerabbit: I do not kidnap people."

"And I am Keen Eid, and have no problem with redusssing human populations to a more manageable level..."

Keen paused. A little too long.

"For a noble caussse, of coursssse..."

He smirked, rubbing at the smooth skin along his jawline. He was curious as to why this lordling would be in political disarray should such a secret be shown publicly. From what Keen could tell there were no elections, physical fitness had no effect on political superiority, and all of their children - human children - were flawed from their birth. Still, it was intriguing. The money was nice too.

Seemed legit enough, and The One He Served could be entertained.

"Consssider usss," Keen gestured to Loft with a wave, "agreed to this proposssal."

Rolled Sense Motive 9, so this checks out XD
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Fri 16 July 2021.

"What's moniess?" And why is he talking like a snake? Valus keeps tapping the blade against the ground. He doesn't even look up. Red. Keen. Stone. Well if he will end up travelling with them, thats what he will call them. Another glances towards Stel. Drunk. All this political drama. Who cares. And now he gets called a fiend. Course not sure what is worse being called a friend or a fiend. Least he got the little part right. And now undead. This just keeps getting better and better. He pulls out another dagger, tapping both of them against the ground as if bored.

The bartender smiled "Of course, in case you aren't local, this is an orb" she said holding a gold coin. "And we can front a thousand orbs for lodging and procuring horses. But we need you to leave as quickly as you can. Even then, it is a quick stroll across the woods without stops and the worst you could find is a random band of marauders from Pomarj. Now I'm not sure why miss Kolyana might not want to return, but if she refuses to come back to her inheritance, at least try to recover her signet ring."
<Orange>
I'll update this later</Orange>
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:51, Thu 22 July 2021.

A thousand gold for retrieving her? He sits up, banging the table and rubbing his head. The goblin peers out then goes back under the table. Tap tap tap goes across the ground "Okay." Horses? No way. Just wait till they meet his friend....

Lady Yesgrace considered for a moment. If she abandoned her duties, returning the ring would be the least she could do. There was always the possibility that there was some truly impressive labryntine court plot best left to bad fiction.  But if she'd been mislead, they could always work with that when it came up.

Hopefully it wouldn't come up, and she'd do her best to convince her to return. She was probably being paranoid after her own kidnapping.

After a moment, she nodded.


"That sounds acceptable. I am probably being paranoid due to my own recent history."

"1500." Viktoria corrected in yone. "That is 10%. Normally I require 25% up front. Certain components are rare and expensive. So are healing salves and ointments." She said it like she meant it.

His cup being empty Stelian looked around the room for more alcohol. After moments, finding none he sat again and attempted to give his full attention to the bartender.