Jobs in Gloomhaven have been few and far between. Ever since the war ended, there have been many swords for hire and few opportunities for those seeking fame and fortune as an adventurer. You have heard that one of the city's nobles is hiring a small group to investigate the disappearance of a merchant caravan.

You have gathered in a small townhouse near then center of town. Assembling in a small sitting room, a welcoming fire warms the room, keeping the chill of night at bay. Oil lamps have been lit, dispelling the gloom, making the room feel warm and hospitable. The chairs are comfortable and wine and glasses have been set out for your enjoyment.

Little is known about your hostess expect from the fact that she is one of the cities more influential nobles. It is rumored that she can been deadly ruthless and is not one to cross lightly. However she is wealthy, influential and powerful. She would be a good contact to have when the cold months descend upon the city.

Once you have assembled in the room, Lady Rune enters and take a seat at her desk. She takes her time in pouring herself a glass of red wine before speaking, silently appraising your group as she pours. The woman wears a dark crimson dress made of velvet. Long raven-black hair cascades softly down past her shoulders. Her corset is cinched tight emphasizing voluptuous curves of her body. You would guess that she is beautiful, however a flawless mask of ivory hides her face from your inquiring gaze.

"Please." she gestures magnanimously with her wine glass. "Have a seat. Indulge and enjoy the wine. You are all here because you have heard that I am in need of individuals possessing certain skills. Tell me, why should I hire you over any of the other sellswords in Gloomhaven?" 

It had been some time since Declan had enjoyed the finer things in life. In point of fact, lately it seemed that he had done everything within his power to get as far from luxury as possible, just to spite his father. However, now that he was in a clean, warm sitting room, bereft of the typical lice and smell of cheap beer and urine that one would expect in a tavern or bordello, he had to admit part of him missed the benefits of being noble born.

But such thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of their host. As far as he had fled from his family, proper etiquette and protocol had not left him. He came to his feet instantly, and stood at attention, as was only right for a woman of such stature. She was clearly a person of means, as her wardrobe and pale skin indicated, not to mention the finery of the townhouse. He raised one of the offered wine glasses, but waited until she bade them drink before he did so. He sat down as he drank, savoring the vintage for a long while with a practiced pallet. This too was nostalgic for him, and most certainly either a show of wealth or generosity to offer such to simple mercenaries.

"My Lady, I could spin tales of my prowess in battle, my discretion, my dependability, and try to dazzle you with words alone. However, I fine such boasting to be filled with exaggeration and, frankly, often baseless self-aggrandizement. I could give you my word as a gentleman that I will complete any task that you feel fit to give, but that assurance depends on you trusting the honor of a sellsword. Ultimately, this decision will be up to you, as it is your coin we are vying for. I could tell you of my need for gold, but it is not my needs that are important here. Unless we are but the first of a series of interviews, you have invited us into this lovely home, so there must be something about us that first drew your interest. Freely admitting my bias, I encourage you to listen to that inclination. And if I may be even more frank about my biases, it is my understanding that I am...intimately acquainted with a member of the missing party. I am very motivated to see this to completion," Declan said evenly, giving her a deep bow.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

Phayde Dronwyr stands at the back of the room, arms crossed as he listens to the noblewoman's pitch. His expression is neutral despite the comely appearance of their potential employer and the luxuriousness of the locale. This is, after all, a job interview. No need to insult the potential employer. He nods politely and accepts the wine Lady Rune offers it, but does not drink yet. He wants to keep a clear head while discussing the details of their contract.

When Lady Rune asks them point blank why she should hire them, the grizzled ranger grins.

"Straight to the point," he says. "I like that. I'll try to do the same. A caravan is missing, and you want us to find it. You'll need someone to track it. I can do that. If there are bandits or other thieves responsible, you'll need them dealt with. I'm not afraid of fighting, or killing when I have to. You'll want people who follow directions. If you've got the coin, I'll happily do what you ask.

"That's all I can say," the Wood Elf finishes. "Hopefully it's enough."

The dwarf in the back of the room sat sipping the wine placed before them. Eying Lady Rune with an equally measuring gaze the dwarf waited while the first two spoke. Rising, the dwarf also answered the question.

"Aye, lady Rune, my name be Sequitur of the clan Stoneboat and I would take on your task."

Any who had noticed the dwarf would be surprised by the voice that echoed boldly thru the room, for it was a warm  contralto, rather than the deep tenor or bass usually associated with Dwarves. A sharp eye would add the slight bit of color on the Dwarf's face, and realize that despite the massive red beard, finely groomed into the shape of an owls face, that this Dwarf was a woman. A rare sight in some parts of the world.

"I have chosen to take on your task due to the wisdom of divine Athena who has broght me to this god forsaken city, and her wisdom made manifest in my presence can only be a boon to the task at hand."

She stares around the room, as if waiting for someone to gainsay her statement.

"I bring with me on this journey basic but useful miracles and magical abilities. In addition I bring my Warhammer. Most useful of all, I bring my insight and attention to details, my keen mind, if you will."

Hefting a heavy hammer over her head in a salute to Lady Rune...

"Clearly there is only wisdom to be found in choosing me to aid in this task, don't you agree?"

Roan enjoyed the wine as he let others speak first. He seemed to be taking a measure of each in turn. Finally he seems to have had enough and speaks his share. "I'm sure you could hire a hundred sell swords to track down your stuff. Some would succeed, some wouldn't. But I'm betting you want more than your stuff. You want the ones responsible. And more importantly you want them dealt with in a more permanent manor. I've no problem with that. Be glad to do it for you. But them hundred other sell swords, they may not be so willing. Some might, but I doubt it. People tend to get all squeamish when the real work needs to be done. But work is work and I'll do what needs doing."

Dorgaz sat silently at the back of the room.  Although a civilized species, minotaurs tended to stick out, especially in fine rooms like this.  And Dorgaz's long years of isolation mastering his own unique skills had done little to improve that.

He cradled the wine glass carefully, feeling out of place in this fine townhouse, and afraid to commit a faux pas.

"Skils..." the minotaur rumbled.  "Yes, I have those.  Not in finding a caravan or the men who carried the goods.  But if men need killing, I am skilled at that.

The woman's face was unreadable behind her ivory mask, however her eyes were carefully appraising each person as they spoke.

You had the distinct impression that she was only half listening to your words, but instead was silently analyzing your body language and mannerisms. Words could easily be twisted and boasts often bordered on lies. She was looking deeper, trying to appraise the people seated before her. She did not blink at the mention of killing.

Finally she nodded. "People may need to be killed, but the whereabouts of the goods is my first concern. I am willing to offer 500 gold to the five..." She stopped as if recounting. "... the six of you if you return my property."

Naela sits down with a bright smile, clearly impressed by all the very expensive-looking things around her. Her strange, golden eyes glow for a moment in appreciation, and then she blinks and the glow is gone. She reaches out to take a sip of the wine, nods in approval and downs the rest in a single gulp. Tasted expensive. Better have another cup!

She listens to the others speak, one after the other, and quirks an eyebrow. Oooh, so professional! She sits up a little straighter and when it's her turn to speak, puts out the dazzling smile of a merchant. "I can read the heavens for portents and auguries for potential dangers in our path. The multiverse holds no mysteries in mine eyes," she boasts, tapping one eyelid. Then, realizing that she wasn't selling her services to a bunch of rubes at a fair, she continues, "I can also heal and brew potions for these fine gentlemen and lady, make sure their swords hit true... And if needed, call upon the power of the earth and the heavens to incinerate the thieves you seek."

She would rather not do that last bit. Killing was such a messy business.

(OOC: Late by a minute! Assume what she said happened before their new boss spoke)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

Having returned to her seat, Sequitur placed her back to a wall and sipped at the wine, though she wished it were good honest ale.

Surveying the others, she had no doubt her ability to judge the merits of others was not up toi the fine Ladies standards, she did want a sense of whom she could trust, if her life depended on them, and it seemed that it would.

The nameless Minotaur seemed the most unusual of her potential traveling companions, and she had had no experience with their kind. Still, he seemed more trustworthy than the nameless, what? Fortune teller?

The nameless blood-thirty bounty hunter seemed full of bravado, that could be good or bad, come real trouble.

She wasn't certain, but she thought the nameless ranger might be an elf? Maybe? Luckily she didn't hold to the distaste for their kind so common among her people. She had met a scant few at sea, but they seemed a good lot, by and large.

That left the first to speak, but this nameless soul seemed to one needing the most consideration. His bearing seemed military in nature, and his personal reason for pursing this task seemed oddly fortuitous. If any one of these were a plant by the bandits, it seemed likely to be him. If, though, a big if.

She nibbled on some grapes, and a bit of cheese, and focuses on their potential employer. As she spoke, Sequitur considered asking for an increase in the pay, an even 100 each would have been nice, but she didn't want to push, either.

"Aye, question then, if you opt to hire us. Do we get to keep any items and goods we find that aren't part of your consignment?"

Roan considered each of the others. He wasn't sure the lengths hey would go to to earn the coin. But if it made life easier for him, he'd be happy to have them between him and a blade. "Also since there are six of us how about making it an even split for us. 600 for the job, and whatever isn't yours we get to keep." It was a bit of a risk to push for more money, but it also showed he wasn't just going to be bought for any price she deemed to offer. All in all it was a fine line to walk and had on occasion landed him back on the streets.