Hiding her smile behind the rim of her cup, Sequitur was pleased that the mercenary had asked for more money. One, it was a question she wished she had had the courage to ask, and two, you always knew exactly how far you could trust a person who there just for the money.

Composing her features, she swallowed another gulp of wine and watched Lady Rune to see how she responded to their two questions.

Behind her ivory mask, Lady Rune's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she considered the counteroffer. "Five hundred for the group, or one hundred per person that returns my goods to me. Your choice." You get the impression she was smiling slightly. "As far as any items that are not part of my cargo, if I am not aware of them, then I will not miss them. Correct?"

OOC: Persuasion checks can be made if you wish to negotiate.

She unrolled a parchment onto her desk and began writing down the terms of the agreement. After placing her seal upon the document, she slid it across the desk towards you. "If all is in order, place your mark on the contract and I will tell you the details of the caravan so you can begin your investigation."

Naela coughed into her wine glass at Roan's bold request for more coin, and made sure to hide her smile behind her cup. Rather bold of him. Then she placed the cup down and cleared her throat.

"One hundred a person sounds good to me," she said to Lady Rune, glancing at the rest of the mercenaries. This sort of work didn't always attract the most honest, and "accidents" sometimes happen when greedy mercenaries want less people to divvy up the rewards. Six were going, and six would be returning. That's how she saw it.

Well aware that one hundred per person might mean less money, if fewer than five of them return, Sequitur feels the offer is a fair one none the less.

She wonders at the ivory mask. was she perhaps disfigured? Or was it simply for anonymity's sake?

It really didn't matter.

Gathering her things, she gets in line and signs without qualms.

"Can we get a list of the missing items, so we will know them when we find them?"

She intentionally used the term when and not if to sound more confident than she really was. Never hurts to sound like you expect to succeed.

"It seems that more than one in this venture believe six hundred divided six ways to be a fair and even number. In the world of business, it is usually wise to listen to the wants and needs of the workforce. However, you are the employer, and I will sign this contract regardless of your decision," Declan shrugged casually.

The young nobleman finished his glass of wine with a flourish, and then carefully set down the crystal. He walked over to the desk and signed his name with a graceful and practiced hand.

"Declan Farlas, son of Gustav Farlas, Baron of Nasitra, at your service, Lady Rune," the swordsman said smartly, clicking his heels together and standing at attention like he was on a military parade ground.

OOC: 15:37, Today: Declan Farlas rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Persuasion.

Phayde nods, and scrawls his seal on the document. With negotiations seemingly at an end, he finally takes a sip of wine.

Once everyone signs, Lady Rune rolls up the contract and places it carefully behind her. Those that took the time to read the contract saw that upon completion of the assignment, those undertaking the mission would be in consideration for future assignments. There was also a note about penalties if the individuals did not return the cargo and either kept it or sold it for themselves. Let is just be said that one did not cross Lady Rune lightly.

The lady leaned forward slightly to give you more details of the mission. People are searching for the caravan in the wrong place. Since the attack happened in the woods outside of town, hunters have been scouring the woods. However several of the items that were on the caravan have already been offered for sale in the town market. The cargo has already reached town. The thieves, as well as my property, now lies somewhere within the city walls."

She provided you with a list of the merchants that claim to have seen her belongings as well as an itemized list of the items that were stolen. Most items were not noteworthy (artwork, books, some jewelry, etc), but there were a few items that were a bit more vague in their description (Locked iron box, carved wooden puzzle box, etc).

Using your researches and questioning the merchants, led your investigation to an old warehouse on the outskirts of town. It was across the road from the Seven Winds Trading Company. The warehouse was well guarded and looked perfectly ordinary by day.

(OOC: I jumped ahead through the investigation to get you to the meat of the adventure. You can take the time to interact with each other and get to know your companions, as well as make plans on how you wish to approach the warehouse.)

Dorgaz signed his name to the contract.  He chuckled lightly to himself, as though a piece of paper could enforce his honor.  People, society, these things test your honor. But Dorgaz knew enough to play by the human's rules.

Once they were all signed on to this retrieval contract, and shaken down a proper lead as to the location of the goods being sought, Declan decided that their was enough time now to become properly acquainted with the people that might potentially be watching his back should this hunt come to bloodshed. The walk to the old warehouse would take some time, after all.

"Well...allow me to take the liberty of breaking the ice. As you all heard when we signed on to this venture for Lady Rune, my name is Declan Farlas, son of Gustav Farlas, Baron of Nasitra. And while I caught your name, Lady Stoneboat, I think it only right that we all introduce ourselves. If only for convenience in tense situations. 'Oi, Minotaur!' seems such a crass way of communicating. Shall we get introductions underway...?" Declan asked, turning to look as his new compatriots.

"Hm. It might also behoove us to also reveal the extent of our skills and abilities to each other. In a combat situation, it is wise to know what the person watching your back is capable of. It would also make us a more cohesive fighting force, if we have a rough idea of our competence level and duty expectations. For example, I know Lady Stoneboat has access to the favor of her gods, and a strong hammer to back up that faith. And this young woman is an oracle of some kind, who sees that paths that fate might take. For my part, I am a simple fighting man. Top of my class in swordplay, if I might brag just a bit," he continued, indicating the unique sheathe at his left hip that held two parallel Messers.

"Please, share only what you are comfortable sharing. But I think my suggestions are sensible, no?" the young nobleman asked, cocking an inquiring eyebrow.

Dorgaz nods.  "Indeed, that would be useful would we to find ourselves tested.  My name is Dorgaz.   I am what is known among my people as a kolgi bishagi.  In the common tongue, that roughly translates as shadow blade.  Though intense study, I have learned to summon the very material of the Plane of Shadows and wield as a weapon.  Or use it to enhance my own. The minotaur tips his heads, his horns glinting.

"Such powers also give me limited access to arcane magic, though not nearly as much as a wizard might have.  I can channel a powerful attack, minor illusions, shield myself, and enhance my own attacks.  This intense study has left me...limited in other aspects.  Hopefully, one of you might be better at tracking down the lost goods.  But if we are challenged in combat, I should prove an able companion."

OOC: In game terms, Dorgaz is a Hexblade.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:01, Thu 25 Feb 2021.

Roan read the contract over very carefully. It looked as though he had signed one or two before and was one to be careful of them. Once he was satisfied as to the content of it, did he sign it.


Roan rolls his eyes a bit at the pomp of Declan, but proceeds to interduce his self. "Names Roan. I've a bit of magic, not much but enough to stand in a fight. I prefer to be back line, though I've some skill with weapons." He indicates the mace and couple of daggers he has on his belt. What strikes you as odd is that he wears plain clothes and no armor. Making him look less suited to the front lines. "Aside from that I have some of the more back ally skills. I can get around with little notice and into places most don't want. Granted I'm no professional, so my skills may not be up to par with someone who makes a full time living of it."

"Sequitur, of the clan Stoneboat, at your service. I can sail a ship and I swing a mean hammer, but the of me is my devotion to the goddess of Wisdom, Athena."

She smiles and arches her back in such a way as to display the Owl's face woven in to her beard, in such a way as to imply that this symbol is important to her.

"In return for my devotion I have a scant handful of diving abilities, as it is wise to dole out abilities the young in keeping with their experience and abilities. I can heal minor injuries, but more serious ones are sadly beyond my abilities at this point."

Naela  wrote a name with a flourish on the contract, without really reading it. Just words on paper. She turned to the group and gave a small bow. "Naela of the Tel'Wyn Guild of Herbalists and Soothsayers," she said.

She smiled at Declan and shook her head. "Oh, I'm no Orcale! I've a small gift of foresight, and magic at my disposal. Like Sequitur, I can heal your wounds, and move the heavens and earth to make your foes that much easier to strike down. Grasping vines, fire to burn them, thunder to toss them about... That sort of thing," she said with a cheerful shrug, as if these were nice little parlor tricks to know. "I am also keen of eye, can spot a lie and... Damn, I can't rhyme that with charm... I can be persuasive when need."

"Phayde Dronwyr," the Elf blurts when the others ask for introductions. "I hunt prey for pay or survival." He finishes with a shrug, as though unsure of what else to add. However, the gesture emphasizes the presence of the bow slung across his shoulder and the short swords at his side.

OOC:

Phayde is a low Charisma character, and I usually play them as unremarkable or socially anxious.

"...pay less when you decide to buy?  Convince someone to surrender instead of die?"

The huge minotaur chuckled quietly.  "Sorry, Naela, I've had a lot of time to myself and reading poetry, along with formulating my own clumsy attempts at verse has become a hobby."

Smiling at the dueling bards, Sequitur suspects this is a good beginning to their task.

Naela laughed, enjoying Dorgaz's way with rhymes. Surprising coming from a hulking minotaur, but then again, this was the first minotaur she's ever met. "Hey. That's not bad. You should quit the mercenary business, become a bard," she said, giving him a pat on the arm. She looked around the group with bright eyes, feeling a little more hopeful about this job now that everyone's been introduced. She didn't want to be the leader, but there needed to be a nudge to get this job underway.

"Now that we have some idea of what everyone can do. That's a start... Now the stolen goods are in a warehouse. Guarded. Is anyone confident enough to be able to talk or sneak their way in, or are we going through the front door with blades and magic?"

"I might be able to sneak in," Phayde replies. "I'm comfortable moving unnoticed in the wild, but those skills translate to the city as well. However, I'd rather not try if the rest of our number is unable to move out of sight quietly."

"Alas, I am a man of fighting skill, grace, intelligence, beauty, charisma, matchless oration, carnal arts...wait, what were we talking about? Oh yes. I have many fine virtues, but moving unseen and unheard in the shadows is not among the skills that I possess. And I do not think it too presumptuous of me to deduce just from appearances that I am not the only in our company to lack that ability. However, if we wish to make the ideal moves in this endeavor, I do not think it would unwise if you were to utilize your skillset without the rest of us making a ruckus at your side, Master Dronwyr. In war, the scouts shape the battlefield before the first soldier sets foot upon it, after all. Seeing what you can see with your Elf eyes would be most beneficial, at least in my humble opinion..." Declan offered, looking to the others for their thoughts on the suggestion.

The minotaur rumbles his assent.  "I agree.  It would be beneficial to have some idea what we are heading into.  Perhaps you could scout, and the rest of us stay nearby.  At the first sign of trouble. you need but shout and we could assist."

"I have the skills as well to move within the shadows. Though I would think out best bet would be to procure one of those outfits with the mask and question the one we acquire it from. I imagine that whoever is attending has the means and funding to buy what's being offered. To that end I would recommend Declan to go in."He seems to hesitate for a moment before adding. "I have a means of accompany him unseen for a couple hours, so he wouldn't be without backup should things go astray." Roan plays with a ruby ring as he adds this last part. The ring its self looks too expensive for a man of his means, and its a wonder that he hasn't sold it for coin given the value that it would probably go for.

Her place in things being pretty obvious, with hammer and tong, as it were, Sequitur lets the others plan, knowing that when her part comes, it will require little to no subtlety.

"I can scout alone or wait to let others attempt to lie their way in," Phayde says with a shrug. "It doesn't matter to me so long as we get the job done. I've a reputation to keep."

In moments like this, it was good to summarize the plan and get the wheels moving. "So we dress Declan up as one of the masked visitors, he goes in to see what's what. Phayde scouts the area, and Roan can use... magic to slip in unseen as well. That leaves Sequitur, Dorgaz and I to stand by and be ready to bust heads if things go wrong," she said and daintily punched her small fist into her open hand. "Sounds like a plan?"

"Sounds good to me," the Dwarven cleric responded.