Renkar sits back and allows everyone to get acquainted. Afterwards he speaks up
"As I have explained to the new folk, we are a specialist company. I am a planar traveller from way back, and I was born and raised among the merchant elite here in the Cage. One thing I always saw as a hazard is that many adventuring companies didn't have enough depth of talent. They would either concentrate on swordplay, or magic, hardly ever both. I decided that with my connections and a good team of adventurers we could all profit."
Renkar pauses
"I have had a few offers lately, and I would like to discuss them with you."
He holds up one finger.
"A gentleman by the name of Urgrek of Clan Earthborn has asked if you could accompany him to the city of Deathdelve on the Elemental Plane of Earth. He is taking a shipment of arms to his people and he is wary of attack by the Xorn king. Those who attended Guarsimo's soiree with Hanali last month might remember him. You all certainly made quite an impression on him and his daughter Azania."
He holds up a second finger
"A gentleman named Gedramak Ironfist needs to hire some investigators to find a Hive dweller who has disappeared. This berk, name of Eliath, has some dark that Ironfist is frantic for, an' he's willing to pay top-shelf for it."
He holds up a third finger
"A strange simian-like cutter name of Charath has asked if we would like to sign on to combat an invasion of his homeworld. I think you might have met him at the soiree as well. His world sounds delightfully exotic, basically a large tree like Yggdrassil."
"Maybe we should go for the second one? I mean finding someone should be easy enough right?"
"I'm interested in the first or third. Your first offer sounds more specific, which I like: easier to figure what we're up against. Did this fellow say what exactly was invading his homeland?"
"So babysitters, bloodhounds or strike squad. I know where my vote's goin'"
"Hmmm," Karrin says as she thinks, "the second one is detective work, something I don't think I'd be very good at, but the first and third are my kind of thing, guarding and fighting. The first though sounds like it would be a quick job, maybe kinda easy, and the guy has lots of money and getting in good with him would be good for business. The other could be a long drawn out affair . . . if we can only do one I'd say the first would be my choice. However we got a lot of people now Renkar, maybe we could try the first two, and if everything gets handled expediently we might be able to handle the third as well . . ."
Bethany scowls again at Swifts reply then sighs and composes herself.
"Very well if you must you amy call me Bethy."
She thinks over the three options before replying.
"The first job sounds easy, but a visit to the Elemental Plane of Earth is not something that appeals to a flier like myself. Opposites if you will. I won't say no outright, but I have my reservations."
Knowledge (Planes) Check. (1d20+1=18)
"The second job is more to my liking since I feel that the third job could end up being a long drawn out affair."
Justin pulled a chair out from its place along the wall with his foot and flopped his long form down into it with about as much grace as a tired hound. When the last guy, 'Drazek', arrived, his attention was as drawn as everyone else. He studied the newcomer from under half-lidded eyes. The hairs on the back of his neck standing up straight.
'Warlock. Great. Just. Perfect. Not to be judgmental. I've summoned my fair share of unfriendly extraplanars myself. Just because he made a deal for power doesn't make him evil. But it doesn't make him friendly either.'
Justin nods to him, and manages to drag his eyes away from the newcomer who seems to bring the shadows with him, only to find the cat-lady looking at him from half-lidded eyes. One side of of Justin's mouth twitches upwards in a smirk, and he turns his hand in a half-wave at her in greeting. He raises an eyebrow as the feline and the young girl exchange purrs and meows.
'The kid speaks kitty?! What is she doing here anyway? She doesn't look old enough to be a mercenary.'
Justin can't help it, he snorts as the harpy explains how she is to be addressed.
"I'm sorry, 'Lady Beth'. But I'm afraid I have to agree with the kid on this one." Justin says with a nod of his head to indicate Swift.
"No matter how important you are back home, the fact is that nobody here has ever heard of your illustrious place of origin. Just like nobody has ever heard of 'De Academia Illustrious Mysticale', apparently." He bites off at the end. Probably a bit harsher than he intended.
He quickly recovers his wry smile, and raises an eyebrow at the harpy. "But like you, I'm also 'more important' where I'm from. And I'm looking for a way back. So maybe we have something in common."
"Hm. My first pick would be for finding the 'lost' guy. It doesn't sound that difficult, might be a good idea to get to know each other before we tackle anything 'major'. And I have a knack for finding and putting together clues. Unless, of course, he doesn't want to be found?" He looks at Renkar.
"Why does this potential client want him so bad? What kind of info does he have that's so important? COme to mention it. There's a lot of details I'd like on all these. Like who's attacking this kingdom? And why does this arms dealer see the need to hire a specialty service like the 'Rose', instead of using his usual hires to guard what sounds like a standard delivery?"
Justin stops twirling the silver Rose pin between his fingers and looks at Renkar. His eyes flicker back and forth barely, as if looking for something. "And you mentioned that at least two of these potential clients were at a society function not too long ago? I know that a lot of society types mingle at these things. I also know that I don't like coincidence. Mainly because I don't believe in it."
The mage purses his lips as he sinks into his chair, brows furrowed in thought.
As Justin points out his preference for the location job, Drazek smirks.
"In my experience, when a lost man don't wanna be found, he ain't real friendly to those who come lookin'. And any man pays to find him, it's 'cause the bastards afraid o' somthin'"
Merle's fur bushes up a bit at Justins response and she seems to hiss a little.
Feline
Her posture begins to become a more hostile looking one
Seph rolls his eyes a little at Merle's actions before responding in a sarcastic tone
Feline
Whatever Seph says to Merle has quite an affect since she seems to almost shrink in her chair and even through the fur it is clear she is blushing in embarrassment.
"Hm. My first pick would be for finding the 'lost' guy. It doesn't sound that difficult, might be a good idea to get to know each other before we tackle anything 'major'. And I have a knack for finding and putting together clues. Unless, of course, he doesn't want to be found?" He looks at Renkar.
"Why does this potential client want him so bad? What kind of info does he have that's so important? COme to mention it. There's a lot of details I'd like on all these. Like who's attacking this kingdom? And why does this arms dealer see the need to hire a specialty service like the 'Rose', instead of using his usual hires to guard what sounds like a standard delivery?"
Renkar smiles at the verbose caster.
" I can provide a bit of extra information about the jobs Justin. First, a trip to Deathdelve isn't as easy as hiring a tout or a courier. There is no direct portal to the burg, and there will be an entire caravan of weapons travelling from the Great Foundry to the Outlands, to a way-world on the Prime and then to Deathdelve. It's a long journey fraught with danger.
The missing person is a barmy in the Hive. This might be a little more difficult that it seems. Anyone who has spent any time in the Hive knows it can be an unfriendly place, especially to those asking questions. As to why Ironfist wants this particular fellow, he let it be known that this cutter was once a sage of some sort and that his madness was caused by too close study of unwholesome things. Supposedly he holds some darks that Ironfist covets, but he wasn't about to lay the particulars on the table for me.
The third is the oddest. The being Charath as far as I can understand lives on a giant tree, or more of a bush I suppose. His world isn't really a world, more of a collection of immense asymetrical bushes suspended in an endless sea of air. Lady Bethany, you would definitely be in your element there! Charath and his 'Troop', a word for a clan or nation I suppose, need help fighting an evil force called the Vermin Lord, who commands swarms of both insects and undead from his lair, which I gather is one of these huge bushes, but dead and wrapped in some sort of insect hive."
Justin stops twirling the silver Rose pin between his fingers and looks at Renkar. His eyes flicker back and forth barely, as if looking for something. "And you mentioned that at least two of these potential clients were at a society function not too long ago? I know that a lot of society types mingle at these things. I also know that I don't like coincidence. Mainly because I don't believe in it."
Renkar chuckles
"The whole point of going to the function was to advertise our services Justin! Urgrek came to me because, quote, "Your team seems well-balanced and ready to handle anything." High praise indeed from a Deathdelve Orc! Charath, on the other hand, is looking for mercenaries all about. His people grow exotic spices and plants that are valuable in alchemy. They can pay their bills and if we can assist them I am sure we will be well rewarded, not just in our initial payment."
"The third is the oddest. The being Charath as far as I can understand lives on a giant tree, or more of a bush I suppose. His world isn't really a world, more of a collection of immense asymetrical bushes suspended in an endless sea of air. Lady Bethany, you would definitely be in your element there! Charath and his 'Troop', a word for a clan or nation I suppose, need help fighting an evil force called the Vermin Lord, who commands swarms of both insects and undead from his lair, which I gather is one of these huge bushes, but dead and wrapped in some sort of insect hive."
"I am liking this third job more now. The chance to get out and stretch my wings would be welcome."
Go ahead and use the Race if you want. As with most Races, I'm sure there would be Jilarhii on other Primes.
Swift gives a small unimpressed sound in Justin's direction, and mouths the word 'kid' her expression quizzical, sure she was short but she didn't think she looked that young. Instead of arguing however she smiles reassuringly at Merle and scratches Seph under the chin before looking to Renkar.
"I think I'd be of most use on the first or second job. I like the outlands.. and then there's the fact I excel at finding interesting things, I'm sure I could extend that to interesting people" She declares, silently adding 'especially if they're worth a lot of money'
Isaac scratches his goatee a bit, in thought.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but it seems like a fair number of us haven't spent a lot of time in The Cage. Seeing as the Hive is a short walk away and a short walk to the Temple district in case of emergency... let's do the second job. We can rattle our bone boxes while we walk, find this addle-cove and those of us that ain't well-lanned yet can get a sense of how things are in this madhouse. From the bottom up, as it is."
"Though, at the same time, looking for someone in the Hive is sort of like trying to find a needle in a haystack that only LOOKS like it's full of hay, but is instead full of rusty nails, razors and meathooks. I'm sure it'll be fine, though."
"Though, at the same time, looking for someone in the Hive is sort of like trying to find a needle in a haystack that only LOOKS like it's full of hay, but is instead full of rusty nails, razors and meathooks. I'm sure it'll be fine, though."
"In my experience, when a lost man don't wanna be found, he ain't real friendly to those who come lookin'. And any man pays to find him, it's 'cause the bastards afraid o' somthin'"
Justin nods at the shadowy Drazek.
"True. And the fact that this client wants the unpleasant something this individual found doesn't make me happier." The wizard chews on his bottom lip thoughtfully. He either misses, or is tactfully ignoring, the brief response his wave seems to have elicited from the female feline-person."I think I'd be of most use on the first or second job. I like the outlands.. and then there's the fact I excel at finding interesting things, I'm sure I could extend that to interesting people" She declares, silently adding 'especially if they're worth a lot of money'
Justin eyebrow arches again, and he smirks as if a puzzle-piece had just clicked into place.
'Ah. A "Collections Specialist". NOW at least I know why she's here. Still looks too young though.'
Isaac scratches his goatee a bit, in thought.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but it seems like a fair number of us haven't spent a lot of time in The Cage. Seeing as the Hive is a short walk away and a short walk to the Temple district in case of emergency... let's do the second job. We can rattle our bone boxes while we walk, find this addle-cove and those of us that ain't well-lanned yet can get a sense of how things are in this madhouse. From the bottom up, as it is.""Though, at the same time, looking for someone in the Hive is sort of like trying to find a needle in a haystack that only LOOKS like it's full of hay, but is instead full of rusty nails, razors and meathooks. I'm sure it'll be fine, though."
Justin arches an eyebrow.
"Great. I'll pack the disinfectant. And mix some Tetanus antidotes,..." He mutters sarcastically. But he pins the Silver Rose pin onto the wide lapel of his gleaming leather coat. Right next to a small gem that seems to be sewn into the collar.
"Alright Renkar, so who are we looking for?"
The wizard's tone is as sarcastic as ever. But he is leaning forward for the first time since the meeting started, steepling his long, thin fingers together. And he watches Renkar as if everything he says could be important.
Nari looks up just a bit, hiding behind her silver hair. She is paying very close attention to what Renkar has to say about the second job offer. But she still stays silently towards the back. She still feels inadequate compared with all the others assembled here.
Renkar clears his throat
"we would be looking for a cutter name of Eliath. The chant our prospective employer Gedramak Ironfist gave me was that Eliath was an arcane researcher working for Gedramak on a project. He didn't feel like sharing the dark of what happened, but Eliath ended up losing his marbles and wandering down to the Hive before anyone knew what was up with him. From there he vanishes.
Ironfist said Eliath is a short wiry cutter who's missed a few too many meals. Last thing anyone saw him in was some threadbare blue wizard's robes. His hair is white and he squints a lot because he's nearsighted."
Renkar pauses.
"Now if we do take on this job, I will need those who are the most familiar with Sigil to be the front line. The Hive isn't a safe place to go thundering through without a care."
Renkar looks at Karrin
"Miss Kind I know you have been doing charity work in the ward. Perhaps if you started with some of your contacts down there."
He looks at Eir
"I believe you mentioned you met Sil Orsmonder while looking for Mr Norgins during our last job Eir, perhaps he might know something."
He looks at the others
"If any of you know any Xaosmen, Dustmen, Doomguard or Bleakers, it never hurts to pump them for information."
Renkar looks at the group
"Should I notify Mr. Ironfist we are taking the job? Or would you like me to set up a meeting so you can question him further?"
"I could ask the Bleakers," Nari says softly, before giving a small squeak of panic at realizing that she'd spoken out loud, blushing furiously, and going back to studying her feet.
"I could ask the Bleakers," Nari says softly, before giving a small squeak of panic at realizing that she'd spoken out loud, blushing furiously, and going back to studying her feet.
Renkar smiles
"Excellent Naridre! They are the most important faction to ask since they do so much with the barmy population in the Hive."
"Hmm... well that's that then. When do we start rattlin' cages?"
Drazek pins the silver rose to his collar.
Renkar looks at Karrin
"Miss Kind I know you have been doing charity work in the ward. Perhaps if you started with some of your contacts down there."
"You got it boss!" Karrin says mimicking a salute she witnessed between a couple of hard heads.
"Hmm... well that's that then. When do we start rattlin' cages?"
Drazek pins the silver rose to his collar.
Renkar grins
"I can get Ironfist his confirmation. We can start anytime. In fact, I would encourage you all to go together this Afterpeak, for safety. I'd reccomend you be out of the Hive by Antipeak. The Dustmen's hours are not a happy time in the Hive."
"You got it boss!" Karrin says mimicking a salute she witnessed between a couple of hard heads.
Renkar laughs
"That's the spirit Karrin! We'll find this Eliath in no time!"
"Hmm... well that's that then. When do we start rattlin' cages?"
Drazek pins the silver rose to his collar.
Renkar grins
"I can get Ironfist his confirmation. We can start anytime. In fact, I would encourage you all to go together this Afterpeak, for safety. I'd reccomend you be out of the Hive by Antipeak. The Dustmen's hours are not a happy time in the Hive."
"Do I look like I'm afraid o' the dark?"
"Do I look like I'm afraid o' the dark?"
Renkar frowns at the warlock
"No Ser Drazek, you do not. But, are you smart enough not to go traipsing around one of the most dangerous urban landscapes this side of the Abyss after Antipeak with little or no experience?"
"This Gedramak Ironfist: what kind of chant do you have on him? What does he do? Is it possible that whatever darks this barmy's got in his brain-box he wants to keep from Ironfist? Does Ironfist have competition, someone that maybe would've given this Eliath a better offer? Got to be a reason he gave his employer the laugh, even after he went barmy."
"Do I look like I'm afraid o' the dark?"Renkar frowns at the warlock
"No Ser Drazek, you do not. But, are you smart enough not to go traipsing around one of the most dangerous urban landscapes this side of the Abyss after Antipeak with little or no experience?"
" I s'pose I am." the Warlock grins at Renkar's reprimanding tone.
"This Gedramak Ironfist: what kind of chant do you have on him? What does he do? Is it possible that whatever darks this barmy's got in his brain-box he wants to keep from Ironfist? Does Ironfist have competition, someone that maybe would've given this Eliath a better offer? Got to be a reason he gave his employer the laugh, even after he went barmy."
Renkar pauses
"It's hard to tell what he does. I think he is an adventurer looking for a specific item or location. In the interview I had with him he claimed client privelidge with me, so I didn't get a lot of darks from him. I got the feeling that Eliath was a portal researcher. It's a common thing in the Cage, as the portals shift and change constantly, old ones closing, new ones opening. Ironfist claims that Eliath was spotted in the Hive in the Madhouse District acting barmy right after he dropped off the project. Is it a scam? Maybe. Having visited the Madhouse District I would say it's a bit far to take a scam to wander those streets for any length of time."
Karrin closes her eyes as she tries to work the problem out in her head. There was something important that she needed to remember but she wasn't sure what that was. After a moment of thinking she gives up and looks into her axe, Karrin found that calming as of late, and when Karrin speaks she almost seems in a trance like state.
"Well maybe this guy didn't disappear himself," Karrin says, "maybe he's crazy, maybe he's lost, maybe he found something in his research that led him to the hive? I mean all these things are possible right? But if someone else took him, and took him for a reason, we might be playing into a game between two or more powerful entities. Anyways, although this could be an easy search we'd better not take any unnecessary risks right? I mean people get killed . . . er, put in the dead book for just being in the wrong place or bumping into the wrong person, never mind asking questions were people don't like questions being asked. I think we should go in groups."
Karrin blinks as if hearing her own words for the first time.
"Yay teams!" she says, "maybe we could have a friendly competition? Every clue gets a point whoever gets the most points gets . . . hmmmm," Karrin struggles to think of the best ever, "I know: supper! Ya, that would be a great."
Anyone standing near Karrin feels a distinctly cold breeze
Drazek looks at the perky warrior as if seeing her for the first time.
His left eyebrow raises slightly as he notices the capped hornlet on her head, and he frowns slightly as Bethany breaks out into gooseflesh near Karrin, though he is momentarily distracted by the thinness of the harpy's slip.
Leaning forward slightly he allows his hair to fall over his eyes, partially shielding the shift that comes over them.
Karrin's blue crystal axe glows quite brightly in the arcane spectrum
"It's hard to tell what he does. I think he is an adventurer looking for a specific item or location. In the interview I had with him he claimed client privelidge with me, so I didn't get a lot of darks from him. I got the feeling that Eliath was a portal researcher. It's a common thing in the Cage, as the portals shift and change constantly, old ones closing, new ones opening. Ironfist claims that Eliath was spotted in the Hive in the Madhouse District acting barmy right after he dropped off the project. Is it a scam? Maybe. Having visited the Madhouse District I would say it's a bit far to take a scam to wander those streets for any length of time."
"Well, that seems to pretty conclusively lead to the Bleakers for a start. Probably best if I keep my mouth shut when we go for a visit. From there, we can probably figure out the next step and if we need to split up or what have you."
Justin, surprisingly, keeps quiet as Renkar antes up the rest of the info they need to get started. And Purses his lips while staring off into nothing as he thinks.
He shivers slightly (not easy in that heavy leather coat you guess!) as Karrin speaks in a much calmer voice than her usual perky self. He breaks out of his reverie.
"I have to agree. I've not been here long, but even I've noticed that it's dangerous to walk across the street in the Hive, much less down it asking questions."
He half-smiles with what you begin to realize must be his trademark smirk.
"So, we start with the,... 'Bleakers', and Miss Kind's friends. Hopefully that will provide us with enough solid evidence to narrow our search. If we can determine something distinctive that he is wearing or carrying, I can pick up a scroll of a spell that will allow us to locate it easier. But it's a fairly short-range spell. Good for finding a room in a building, not locating a building from out of all the others in the Hive." He offers with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Meanwhile, if we can do it without breaking your client's privilege, we might want to find out some background,... er, 'chant' on our client as well. Mayhaps something will turn up that will tell us more specifically what Eliath was working on. Anything that may make it easier to find this guy. Or at least find out WHY he went missing. Did he peek into a plane that drove him mad? Or did he find exactly what his boss was looking for, and realized it wasn't safe?"
HE shrugs and stands up, stretching his long legs.
"So. WHen do we leave?" He asks the group at large.
Bethany stand there listening to the back and forth between the Company members. Forthe first time in a while she finds herself lost in the conversation. "Xaosmen, Dustmen, Doomguard or Bleakers" she thinks to herself. "What crazy place have I landed myself into".
When Karrin speaks it is quite clear from the sheer nature of her slip that it has become cold all of a sudden. She shivers, rubbing the goosebumps on her arms, but is otherwise unconcerned with letting the others see her in such a state.
Finally, at Justin's question of leaving, she pipes up. "I have absolutely no idea what most of what you just said means, so until I and some of the other newcomers, learn how to act in the City and about the different areas I think it would be wise if we don't split up too much." She thinks of Justin's cocky insistence that he can handle himself in an area that Renkar is aprehensive about and can quite easily see him getting them into trouble. "No more than two groups. I would like to be partnered with either Isaac, Karrin or Eir myself as they seem the most knowledgeable and could teach me the most." Or that one she thinks, looking predatorily at Drazek.
... "No more than two groups. I would like to be partnered with either Isaac, Karrin or Eir myself as they seem the most knowledgeable and could teach me the most."...
Renkar nods
"I think two groups is an excellent idea Lady Bethany. I would say, Karrin, Nari, Drazek, Justin and Bethany for one. Eir, Issac, Merle, and Swift for the other. That splits the talents and the knowledge as cleanly as I can figure. Any objections?"
"Fine with me."
Well assuming I can get Swift and Seph to not be mad at me anymoreshe thinks to herself whilst speaking.
"Sounds good to me. Looks good too."
Karrin smiles smugly as she was identified as a knowledgeable person.
Renkar nods
"Excellent! I would say Karrin's team should go investigate the Madhouse District, and talk to the Bleakers. Eir's team, I would say the taprooms and gathering places of the Hive. If you can get any info of the Xaosmen or the Dustmen, that would be a bonus. The Doomguard shouldn't be a priority, unless they've been stepping up their 'entropy enhancing' lately, but you never know."
Renkar looks at the group
"Good luck, watch your backs, and be safe."
Nari nods almost imperceptibly. She is relieved that she will get to stay with Karrin. There isn't anyone else here who she feels comfortable with yet.
Isaac wracks his brain thinking up a list of Hiver watering holes.
Knowledge (local):1d20+6=16
"Well, Dustmen aren't too hard to find: Gathering Dust, right outside the Mausoleum. Beyond that, hmmm..."
Issac:
- Gathering Dust Bar
- Smouldering Corpse bar
- Roaring Balor Inn
- Rivergate Tavern
- Weary Head Inn
- Bottle & Jug
- Quake's Place
- Benni's Taproom
- Zero Alehouse
- House of the Griffin Tavern
- Slaughterhouse Tavern
- Shrinker's Tavern
- Snapped Finger Tavern
- The Butcher's Block Alehouse & Inn
- Fallen Angel Tavern
- The Whip and Cuff Inn
Issac is sure he could add a couple dozen to that list without trying too hard.
"... well, there's a lot of ground to cover. So let's hit the Gathering Dust first and then see where we can go from there."
"So we should go and talk to the Bleakers now?" Nari says in a near-whisper, trying really hard not to squeak again as she shrank back before she could see anyone paying attention to her.
"I guess so," Karrin says, "everyone got their stuff?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."