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The private dining hall is comfortable and cozy, softly lit by wall-mounted lanterns. A window overlooks the manor’s central courtyard and the carpet is thick and soft. A large portrait hangs on the wall, a fine work depicting a handsome young man with a short beard, Standing before the portrait is an attractive human woman. wearing a long, flowing blue dress, She smiles as the PGs enter, introducing herself as Lavinia Vanderboren.
[b] "As you may have heard, I recently inhrited my parents estates, along with this fine house unfortunately came a substantial amount of debt owed to the Dawn Council, The harbor master, and quite a few guildhalls. It seems my parents while successful advernturerers were not skilled at finance as one may expect. If i am to pay all the taxes properly I will need access to my family's vault under Castle Tarkenian.
And thats the problem you see... The vaults are magically locked. Keyed to special signet rings. Both of my parenst had their rings at least until recently. My mother lost heres about a month ago, and a replacement is on order but it will arrive far past the due date for certain.... payments to be made. It leaves my fathers ring. He never wore it, he had something about men wearing any kind of jewelry but I know he kept it hidden on the familys flagship. The Blue Nixie
The problem there is the harbor master's seized the ship until someone pays the family's last four months of docking fees. I've paid the fines to the man hte quartermaster put in charge of my ship, a brute by the name of Sellar Vark Yet when i went to claim my ship, Vark's men wouldnt let me on board, claiming i hadnt paid the fines. I spoke with Vark again and he denied ever recieving my payment. I made complaints with the city watch and the Harbormasters office but they have fallen on deaf ears it seems. The harbormaster is a doddering old fool who trusts his man and wont relent.
Vark and his men have to be up to something on my ship i know it. I saw the panic in his eyes when i tried to board my vessel. I need to know what they are up and to find my fathers ring. I dont believe Vark is one to respond to diplomacy or logic... I need someone to speak his language which is where you folk come in. Unaffiliated with the house you can find out what he is using my ship for and perhaps even better recover the money iu paid him and my fathers signet ring. I can pay each of you 50 gold now if you accept and a further 150 gold once i have access to the family vaults."
Jetsam locks eyes briefly with the mercenary leader before quickly turning away. She gives Lady Vanderboren a friendly smile, instantly taking a liking to the young noblewoman. Still, as Lavinia makes her business pitch, Jet's eyes occasionally wander to the portrait hanging behind her. After Lavinia finishes speaking, Jetsam nods and says, "That arrangement is fine with me."
Trying to sound casual, the young swordswoman gestures toward the fine portrait and asks, "Who is that? I heard there was another member of your family--a Vanthus, I believe--still alive and in the city.... Your brother, perhaps?"
Aliyah listens quietly, taking in Lavinia's words and attitude. As she tells her tale of the snake Vanthus, the reason someone with her skills would be hired becomes clear. Likely this man hired people who only communicated in blood.
It seemed a worthy cause.
"I accept."
Tedros is relieved that the worst isn't coming to pass today. However, he sobers up and considers the danger inherent to what she describes.
If we mess up and Vark's men capture us, what's the worst that can happen? They can't take us away from this town can they?
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Lily nods, finding out what was happening on the sounded interesting, finding something missing was a familiar task.
"Excuse me, do you have a description, or an image of the ring we're looking for?" She asks politely.
Oridak shakes his head as Lady Vanderboren’s story unfolds. Listening to the questions asked, what Tedros says catches his attention; “What’s the worst that can happen? If they are willing to lie and steal the Lady’s payment to hide what they are doing, I think they would be willing to dispose of anyone who is lower born.” he looks around at the group the lady has organized. [b]“But, I do accept these terms. As someone who is a man of his word in his own business dealings, Vark is one that shouldn’t be doing business any longer.”
You are uncertain if he means to have his harbor authority revoked, or if he should be come shark bait.
Trace watched the group filed out...something tugged at his memory. 'Tolin Kientai'...The Arena Champion. Leader of The Jade Ravens...An Adventuring Company. He pauses thinking about what he heard of them and then shakes his head.
He feels out of his league here and fidgets. Then The Lady walks in and he cant help but smile. she was so pretty. and here he was preparing to get his first assignment as an adventurer.
As Lady Vanderboren begins, and mentions her parents as adventurers a memory pops up...he had heard that...now what were they known for again? and then he also remembers what he heard of their deaths.
He hears mention of 'The Blue Nixie' and he tries to remember what he heard about the vessel, what kind it was, who was the Captain, what kind of reputation it had, where it was docked...ehh, must not have been one that frequented his area of operation.
'Sellar Vark', he thinks hes heard of him.... He thinks, yes, this is right up his alley. Know he knew why he was asked to join. without thinking he said Of course milady. Ill do it
he looks around. then says simply where is it docked?
Nassor shakes his head sadly at Lavinia's story. "This is a bad thing," he mutters. "Stealing from an orphan! Not even pirates stoop so low — so the stories say, at least."
He leans forward. "If this ring is yours, it should be yours, of course. It is yours, yes? There aren't any other family members who could claim it?"