"I am in need of immediate assist with the recovery an ancient tome and an a relic of the Great War the tore Vallorn asunder so many millennia ago. There is danger, the groups that stole these artifacts are competing with one another to get at the powers of the ancients that these artifacts could unlock. I do not want that to happen. The pay is there to pay you for that risk and to secure your loyalty." She replied. She spoke with a slightly haughty demeanor of someone who has grow accustomed to being in charge.

Malcolm turned to watch the drow, "Indeed I am interested in your request. But, you'll have to forgive me for being forward. What will do you with this artifact? What are your intentions."

Having retrieved his breakfast, and nice of coffee, Vogryn turns and takes a seat bearish to the Dark Elf lady, but at a separate table.  He listens intently to the conversation, and watches her as she speaks.  His mind considering the possibilities.

In reply to Malcolm d'Tor (msg # 75):


"What would a youngling like you know of intentions. Simply spouting out the information to artifacts to those unwilling to present loyalty is folly." She replied.

"I can't argue that we're all young compared to the drow." Malcolm allowed a smile to form on his face. "I'm sure that you're more powerful than I. So why don't you seek after this artifact yourself? I'm not interested in being your fodder. And have you simply follow us and swoop up after whatever befalls us. And we haven't even discussed how much you'll pay for our services."

"I suppose I have heard enough." Morgana said as she rose. Without another word she rose and walked out of the tavern to board a waiting coach. Everyone that had been following the interplay of words looked to Malcolm.

Knut shakes his head at the pressure the Drow was getting. When she goes to leave, Knut calls after her. “Mind not the lad! Head strong and lacking wisdom as he his. Let us at least see the contract you’d make with us. I for one am not opposing so long as the terms are favourable.” He want sure if this would allow her to reconsider, but it was worth a shot.

"Perhaps we can speak another time milady."

He headed back to the table with Yprish.

"I feel a bit of sympathy for those who came here in response to her post. It would appear the young knight has cost them all a job."

He sat back down and set to finishing breakfast.

Yprish shrugged and sipped his coffee. "Cost 'em a job or saved 'em a mess of trouble, one or t'other. But a woman like that? Nah, she playin hard to get. These folks head out and get in her hip pocket they ain't gonna get turned down... You tried any of that blood puddin?"

Ralston entered the Ye Olde Bucket of Beer with a tall, lean human. They were laughing to the point of crying over some bit of humor. Seeing the state of the place and the looks on many of the faces that had expected the opportunity to make a platinum piece per day they only laughed harder.

"Oye, you lot do look so forlorn. Well, most of you." Ralston said after he caught his breath. "This here is Manozo. He is my silent partner."

The man was well adorned in fine clothing, expensive boots, a purple cloak, and a elegant set of matched rapier and long dagger. He was a freshly shaven with a neatly waxed mustachio, perfumed hair, and a bright smile. Rings rode six fingers, two heavy chains of gold hung around his neck, and his belt buckle shone with the gleam of electrum. He was well appointed, very wealthy indeed, but owing to his company Ralston's partner was more rogue than politician.

"That is the second time she has done that this week." Ralston said. He waved a hand in a wide arc. "You can see, Manozo, no lack of fools for her errand. And her platinum. She is gone. Rode out of town moments ago with her attendants and a wagon in her wake."

The tall man stepped forward alone, he was old. Maybe the oldest human any of them had ever seen. Though he lo
oked remarkably hale for his age.

"For the woman of Riftono. I have news, a sorcerer name Heglund came through the town of Ovam forty miles to the north two days past with a beautiful girl from Riftono. He is headed to Lanis. Probably where he has a home." Manozo said. "For the Hafling of the Iron Mountains seeking the runaway girl. She is not in the realm of our associates, though she, too, was bound for Lanis to claim her inheritance."

"You knights of from the Council, seek out Brother Samuel there." Manozo said with pointing finger. "The cleric follows the aspect of war and is said to carry the blessings of the One God into battle. And soon he will be tracking down the Gnolls that killed a small village of that Half-Orcs kinfolks." Another finger pointed to Yrpish. "The men that will accompany them under that old tracker will need your strength and skill."

With than, Manozo strode into the back of the tavern like Don that had just addressed his family of thieves. Ralston waited for the man to leave and the Dwarf mounted a table.

"She is gone. If you want work the magistrate is offering a bounty on Gnolls of ten gold for each Gnoll brought in from the neck up. The mayor has agreed to match that. So, twenty gold per Gnoll head. Heads only." Ralston called out loudly. "This pack is large and it is led by the Gnoll known as the Umog to the Elf clans to the east. Yes, that's right, the Destroyer is among our waters again."

Knut shakes his head and downs the last of his coffee. "Forgive me for the comment, I meant not harm in it. Seems the job was lost, well before we spoke to her." Knut says to Malcolm. "Seems that Gnoll hunting may be the only sport to be had here, least you want to chase after the halfling girl."

In reply to Doven Tallbarrow (msg # 73):

"Oh that's wonderful! Travel's always been a dream of mine honestly. One day I just decided to get my feet to the road and start walking, as they say."

Una's smile faltered slightly when she was asked where she came from

"Oh, a small little halfling town near here. But I apprenticed in . . . eccentric circumstances."

Brother Samuel raised a hand to indicate himself when his name was called and simply waited for would be Gnoll Hunters to approach.

Yprish leaned over to Samuel, “How bout dat… we gonna find out if our boy just has trust issues with drow of if isn’t one of them general things.”

Tarek watched with surprise with the sudden turn of events. Shaking his head, he nodded towards Vogryn. Tarek sipped the last remnant of the coffee and approached Brother Samuel and Yprish. "Well that is interesting to say the least. To be honest those were fair questions to be asked of Morgana. My thoughts mirrored Malcolm."

He paused the continued. "My apologies. I am Tarek Darksturm of the Order of the Watch. I understand there was some incursion from Gnolls?"

In reply to Una Emberkettle (msg # 85):

Doven continues to smile pleasantly, politely ignoring the question the other halfling seems to be avoiding. "Ah, well, I suppose we're all a bit eccentric in some way, eh?" Around another bite of bread with jam, he changes the subject. "Got any plans from here, then? Sounds like there's some adventure to be had." He nods, indicating the other patrons. "Not a bad way to see the world, if you're okay with sleeping on the ground more often than not. And it sometimes pays a good bit of coin. Sometimes."

"Well met Sir Tarek. These are Ypresh and Longwalker."

"In truth you were not rude to the Dark Elf woman."

"It's just that you started your interrogation while I was speaking to her. You were, in fact, rude to me."

Sam smiled.

"Let's put that behind us though. I'll explain in more detail when we have seen how many wish to join us."

He offered a big hand to shake.

"Where did you say the gnolls were found? To the north?" Malcolm asked as he continued to sip his cup of coffee. He turned and focused on each of the people in turn as if trying to gauge something.

This message was deleted by the player at 11:21, Tue 11 Jan 2022.

Tarek arched an eyebrow and there was a look of concern which quickly faded as he extend his hand. "Yes, agreed."

Maria walked up to the table with the halflings and elf, "Excuse me, you don't mind if I sit here do you? "

"Oh, of course!"

Una waved to an empty seat, smiling warmly

"But there's a cost! A toll, if you will! Who are you, and what's your business?"

Maria nodded, "My friend her and I are looking for two different girls that have gone missing, her daughter and a girl from my orphanage." she pulled up a seat, "Right! I'm Maria, and you?"

Una looked to Noza and Doven

"Well burn my loaves and puddings, two missing girls sounds like a problem! I can't offer much but my knowledge of cooking . . . "

Una put her elbow down on the table, her hand lighting up with an orange flame which wisped off in small red motes

"And a small dabbling of the magic, truth be told"

"Oh! Excellent! I've always greatly respected those with the discipline  to learn the arcane arts, I don't have the mind for it myself, you must have quite the gift"