002. "Will we have to wear dresses?"

[Corwin]

[18:49] <Kotono> ---
[18:53] <Kotono> With agreement between all a new venture is formed. The next morning the four return to Whimsical Sweets. Inside Sylvie is working, now wearing a set of simple, well kept breechs and tunic. Her blonde hair is kept back with a kerchief, as she sweeps up broken glass and whistles to herself. "Josa's upstairs," she says, "He's waiting for all of you."
[18:54] <Andrea> Andrea nods at Sylvie and starts heading up the stairs.
[18:54] <Janson> "Morning!" Janson greets everyone cheerfully, hiding his disappointment that Sylvie isn't wearing the old uniform and dutifully marching up the stairs.
[18:54] <Aaeru> "Ah, hello!" Aaeru greets her. Eyes trailing Sylvie's broom, she asks, "Do you need any help with that?"
[18:55] <Kotono> "Oh, I have it under control," Her whistling pauses, "Besides, the boss wants you all upstairs right away."
[18:56] * Wayland nods in greeting. "Good morning, everyone."
[18:56] * Aaeru gives it another longing look, before nodding in acceptance.
[18:58] <Kotono> The four head upstairs! They find the long, open upstairs room has been transformed! Gone is the cauldron. The chairs remain, a small circular table nearby. A tall cabinet rests in one corner, a bookshelf half filled with books besides it. In a far corner lies a bed, well and neatly made. Josa stands by the table, "Ah, at last you have come! I welcome you all here to the start of a fantastic, profitable and well fated adventure! I trust none of you have had misfortune fall on you in the past night?"
[18:59] <Janson> "Everything's fine here," Janson reports readily.
[18:59] <Wayland> "A quiet night, yes. I'm ready to work." Wayland nods.
[18:59] <Aaeru> "The rest of the day was quite mundane," Aaeru agrees. "At least for me, that is."
[19:02] <Kotono> "Excellent! Ah, excellent! Sit, sit," He gestures to the chairs, going to sit his well fed frame down. "How do you like it? Oh, it lacks flair and personality, I know. But only time and the vagaries of effort can bestow that onto a place."
[19:02] <Andrea> Andrea goes take a seat, and just waits for Josa to keep going on, watching with some amusement.
[19:02] <Janson> "Not as fancy as the sweet shop, but I guess it's a different market?" Janson surmises, going to grab a chair. "How's Silver?"
[19:03] * Wayland takes a seat as well. "Soon enough, the walls will be decorated with trophies of our victories over evil."
[19:04] <Kotono> "Oh, she's fine," With a little, limp wave of his hand, "She's in timeout to reflect on her shortcomings, but no matter that! See, I like that attitude! Yes, that's exactly it! Soon enough, victory and profit will work their way to us! Now then," A pause to clear his throat, "Let me give you a quick tour."
[19:09] <Kotono> Gesturing, "This table is good for work, for sitting a client down to sit at or all sorts of things," He taps it with his knuckles, "That book shelf will be a reference source...in the future. For now I've taken the liberty of borrowing from Sylvie's book collection," Josa clears his throat loudly, "AHEM! The cabinet there is a supply cabinet. Feel free to take a look, what's inside is free to be used on jobs."
[19:10] <Aaeru> Books! That she could read, perhaps, if it doesn't bother anyone! Aaeru can't help but be happy at that.
[19:11] <Janson> "Like healing potions and things?" Janson asks, looking at the cabinet.
[19:14] <Kotono> "Yes. A few healing nectars are in there, as well as things I found around that could be useful," Josa indicates with a nod towards the cabinet. "Now then, to business. First of all, we will get no business if we don't advertise and make our presence known. So I will be our first client and my request is a simple one: Spread word of us amid the city."
[19:15] <Janson> "You mean put up posters like Sylvie did yesterday?" Janson clarifies. "Will we have to wear dresses?"
[19:16] * Wayland eyes Janson strangely. "What?"
[19:16] <Kotono> "Heavens no!" With a gaze at Janson, "Besides, you don't have the hips to pull off a dress like that. No, I leave the methods to the four of you."
[19:16] <Janson> "What?" Janson blinks back innocently at Wayland.
[19:17] <Aaeru> "We are going to help people in need, aren't we?" Aaeru muses out loud. "Then visiting the temples, the inns and the Guard should provide all the right advertisement, shouldn't it?"
[19:17] <Andrea> "Well, I suppose that's one way of getting attention, but not sure it'd be the good sort..." Andrea mutters regarding the idea.
[19:18] <Wayland> "Good idea, Aaeru. That's likely where we'll drum up the most business."
[19:19] <Janson> "It worked yesterday, didn't it?" Janson shrugs. "Anyway, I guess we can wander around and just tell people... oh!" he suddenly brightens, "Why don't we start by doing? Like give people free samples by finding lost things or solving mysteries, so people can see we're the real deal."
[19:19] <Kotono> Josa sits back and steeples his hands together, watching.
[19:19] <Aaeru> "It would be where the troubled people would turn to, or where we would find those who could direct such people to us," she tells Wayland.
[19:20] <Wayland> "People drink and pray most often because they have a problem. Perhaps if we can help them, we can alleviate the burdens on their souls." he says, nodding in agreement at Aaeru.
[19:21] * Aaeru nods, before turning towards Janson. "And we can certainly help people without asking for anything in return!"
[19:22] <Janson> "Okay, so we'll go hit up some bars and see if we can find some troubled people to help?"
[19:22] * Andrea frowns. "We'd probably want to see the commerce area as well for advertising. Some traders who travel may also want to hire people to protect them from bandits..." she says a little quietly.
[19:23] <Aaeru> "Bandits?" Aaeru asks, not comprehending.
[19:24] <Wayland> "Those who would prey upon others for money or goods."
[19:24] <Andrea> "Bad people. Thieves. Killers."
[19:24] <Aaeru> "They exist? Really?" Aaeru looks skeptical. "I've never seen one my entire life."
[19:25] <Andrea> "I've...had such a misfortune."
[19:25] * Aaeru nods hesitantly.
[19:25] <Wayland> "I've had some dealings with their ilk as well. They are not my favourite group of people."
[19:27] <Janson> "Where are you from?" Janson asks Aaeru curiously. "We don't see bandits out in the forest, but giants can be worse anyway."
[19:28] <Aaeru> "Originally? I'm from Erenholm," Aaeru responds. "It is a very nice place to live, but it was not for me, I'm afraid."
[19:29] <Janson> "Haven't heard of it," Janson admits, "Is it in the forest?"
[19:31] * Aaeru shakes her head. "Not really, no. It was a farming village, so it needed plenty of space for fields and livestock and really all that comes with this. Ah, but it's very close, so if you ever want to visit for some reason, don't be shy!"
[19:32] <Andrea> "I think I might have passed there a few times before, when I was young," Andrea says.
[19:32] <Kotono> Josa listens to all of this with rapt attention. "Well then," Clapping his hands together, "It sounds like all of you have a few plans coming together, truly!" Josa says, "Seize the day! Go out and pursue them as you fancy! Oh yes, and if any of you need help with anything, take Sylvie. She's very talented."
[19:34] <Janson> "She was good at drumming up business yesterday, can't deny that," Janson admits, recalling how she fooled him into thinking he was getting special treatment. "Lets grab her and start going by the local taverns?"
[19:36] <Andrea> "As good a place as any to start," Andrea agrees as she stands from her chair.
[19:36] <Wayland> "We can take her with us, as long as she's not doing something for Josa here at the shop."
[19:37] <Aaeru> "Let's ask Sylvie if she would like to come?"
[19:37] * Janson is already heading downstairs. "Hey, Sylvie! Want to come drum up business with us, today?"
[19:38] <Kotono> "Take her if you want to use her." Waving his hand, "She's surprisingly good at everything. Disguise, dressing up, heraldry, singing, religious knowledge, natural knowledge, healingcraft..." He ticks off finger after finger, watching the others go downstairs.
[19:39] <Kotono> Sylvie is still sweeping downstairs. She looks up at Janson as he heads down, "Hm? Well, work is work is work," she shrugs and puts the broom down. "It's a living."
[19:42] <Janson> "Well yeah, but it's a chance to stretch your legs and we can all get to know each other as we go - we're going to head around taverns and see if we can find people who need help, so there'll be chances to socialise along the way," Janson prods amiably. "Have you even been properly introduced to everyone else?"
[19:42] <Wayland> Getting up, Wayland says, "Thank you for your hospitality, Josa. We'll take our leave of you now, I believe."
[19:43] <Kotono> "Good luck," Josa replies to Wayland. Meanwhile, "You're Janson and you're really good at naturecraft," she nods, "Aaeru can cast magic and fight with her fists. So can Wayland, and he has elemental blood in him, probably air. Andrea is a holy warrior of some sort, following Alicia Reynes." With a pleasant smile after, "Do I have it about right?"
[19:44] <Andrea> Andrea blinks. "Well, yes, although how did you know I followed...oh right, my necklace..."
[19:44] <Janson> "I can talk to animals, too!" Janson asserts proudly. "Uh, dunno about elementals or Alicias... I thought Wayland was a sea elf."
[19:45] <Aaeru> "And you are Sylvie, the girl who is good at everything?" Aaeru takes her hand, shaking it happily. "I'm pleased to formally meet you!"
[19:45] <Kotono> "I'm not good at everything," she blushes as her hand is shaken, "I just read a lot."
[19:46] <Aaeru> "I admire that!" Aaeru states firmly. "A lot!"
[19:46] <Janson> "Reading's good!" Janson nods eagerly. "There weren't many books in the village, but I found some really good ones in the old gnome ruins."
[19:47] <Aaeru> "You, too, are an admirable person!" Aaeru chirps, smiling at Janson.
[19:47] <Wayland> "I'm no sea elf, Janson. I have air elemental ancestry. As a result, I have limited flight abilites and I do not need to breathe."
[19:47] * Janson beams at the praise coming from his natural superiors in the world.
[19:48] <Kotono> "Ah, an air genasi." Sylvie says, "Anyway, if you want me to come along...a job is a job," she shrugs. "Lead on."
[19:48] <Janson> "Oh, you can fly?" Janson asks Wayland interestedly as they head out of the shop/headquarters.
[19:48] <Wayland> "It's more along the lines of levitation, but yes."
[19:49] <Janson> "And you don't need to breathe? The women must love that!" he continues effusively.
[19:49] <Aaeru> "Ah, I don't actually frequent the taverns. Or even visit them. If we were going to any temple I would know my way around, but with this...."
[19:49] * Wayland stares at Janson incredulously. "You are a strange man."
[19:50] <Andrea> Andrea stares at Janson and shakes her head. "There should be a tavern a few blocks from here," Andrea comments, deciding to focus on their 'job'.
[19:50] <Janson> "Says the blue man," Janson snorts, following Andrea's directions.
[19:51] <Kotono> roll 1d100-10
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100-10 and gets 42." [1d100=52]
[19:51] <Wayland> "I occasionally find that some men are even stranger than I." he says, shaking his head.
[19:53] <Andrea> Andrea leads the way to the closest tavern she knows of in Balmuria.
[19:53] <Kotono> A few streets further down in the Commerce District is a tavern. The Griffon's Eye, with large, wide open doors. Inside is dim and paneled in rich, tasteful wood. Everything is smooth and polished. A long bar runs against the back wall, with booth tables running the near wall. People from near and far are about - many travel stained or wearing the rich garb of a merchant. Others have dusky skin
[19:53] <Kotono> or elven blood, or other exoticness.
[19:54] * Janson rolls up to the bar and orders a round of drinks for the five of them, starting in on his and surveying the clientele for any likely prospects...
[19:56] <Aaeru> "Ah, so this is a tavern!" Aaeru says upon entering the premises, taking a look around.
[19:56] <Andrea> Andrea looks around to see if she spots anyone familiar to start a conversation with, and hopefully grab other people's interests with their chat.
[19:56] <Kotono> The barkeep produces 5 mugs of ale for a grand cost of 1 gold. Sylvie goes to sit and sip from hers, "Drinking on the job," her lips twitch upwards. OOC: Go ahead and make sense motive then to try and get a hook on how the vibe of people around is, Janson.
[19:56] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 72." [1d100=72]
[19:56] <Janson> roll 1d20+6
[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 and gets 23." [1d20=17]
[20:00] <Andria> Pausing a bit as she spots one familiar face, Andrea briefly debates talking to him given the scowl on his face, but finally decides to go chat with him. But first, she takes a sip from the ale that Janson kindly bought for all of them, for some liquid courage! "Hello! Vayth, right?" she calls out from across the room to the burly man she's seen a few times at Alicia's temple, while moving towards him.
[20:01] * Janson nudges Aaeru. "Hey, that lady over there looks really miserable," he nods his head towards a woman in rich finery looking miserably into a shot of something that makes the air curl around it at the end of the bar. "And that guy there," he nods to a burly travelstained man in the corner, scowling viciously, "Something funny about him, don't you think?"
[20:02] * Andrea is already on the case of the burly travelstained man!
[20:02] <Kotono> Vayth looks up as Andrea approaches. He takes a long pull on a mug of ale, "...you're from the the church, I think?" His voice is a gravely, foul rumble.
[20:02] * Aaeru stares at the drink set aside before her curiously, but her attention quickly drifts towards the rest of the tavern and its inhabitants. It is during that perusal of the clientelle that she receives a nudge from Janson, and spends more time on scrutinizing the miserable-looking woman.
[20:03] <Kotono> Sylvie keeps drinking, "Oh, if you don't want that?" she says pleasantly to Aaeru, "I'll drink it." The miserable woman looks to be gunning down a shot of something hard and brown. She motions the barkeep for another right after. She then just stares at the full glass, a deep frown etched into her face.

[Corwin]

[20:04] <Janson> Taking a deep pull of his ale, Janson approaches the sad noblewoman. "Morning, good lady," he gives her his best smile, "You don't look like someone who drinks alone, often. Care for some company?"
[20:05] * Aaeru gives Sylvie an apologetic look, before she picks up her drink and makes her way towards the woman. Setting it by her, she gives the woman a hesitant smile. "You look like you need this more than I do. This is why you came to a tavern, right? Please, go ahead."
[20:05] * Janson gives Aaeru an apologetic look as their greetings stumble over each other.
[20:05] * Aaeru fully returns it.
[20:11] <Kotono> The woman looks at both of them and starts to laugh. She begins by laughing into her hand, but it becomes too much. Amid this, "Oh, I see, I see...Ish look sooo pathetic thash conss or good s-samaratians home in."
[20:11] <Aaeru> "You don't look pathetic at all!" Aaeru insists. "You just look sad, and everyone feels like that sometimes! Is there any way I could help you with your troubles?"
[20:13] * Janson smiles apologetically. "Everyone feels down sometimes," he invites himself to sit on the stool next to her. "You just feel like someone who's normally a real go-getter, you know? I'm Janson and this is Aaeru, by the way."
[20:13] <Kotono> Another drink goes down, "Yoush can TELL MY SONOFABITCH," her eyes water up, "That he and hissth WHORE can go be happy together!"
[20:17] * Janson flinches instinctively at the outburst of feminine fury. "That's terrible," he commiserates, rather empty on much more to offer.
[20:17] * Aaeru tilts her head. She thinks she knows what is happening, but she has been wrong about these things before. Asking would probably be a bad idea, too, so she settles for nodding in a sympathy that doesn't need to be feigned and waits to hear more.
[20:20] <Kotono> "Eleven yeaarsh!" She slurs, slamming her shot glass down, "I come home to find h-him with a WHORE!" Her shoulders slump.
[20:22] * Janson pats her back in sympathy. "Did he even try to apologise, or...?"
[20:23] * Aaeru knows enough not to speak her mind, about how it can't have been the first time, given the circumstances. She quietly pushes her drink closer to the other woman, it being the only thing she can think of doing to help somehow.
[20:23] <Kotono> "He s-ssaaid it wasn't what it lookesd like!" She gestures for another shot, duitifully given. "What is a naked WHORE in our marriage bed but an affair?"
[20:25] <Kotono> That drink is taken and done in one long drink. Thereafter she looks down, "Why? I gave him money, housse, standing..."
[20:26] <Janson> "It's a betrayal," Janson nods sombrely. "You should kick him out, no woman should stand for that. You deserve better! If you let him get away with it, that's the same as admitting that the whore is better, and there's no way that's true!" Admittedly he hasn't met the whore so may be judging her unfairly, but he has to comfort the woman somehow!
[20:30] <Aaeru> "You sound like a very admirable person," Aaeru says in approval. "Sometimes, even giving everything you have isn't enough, and it can hurt. A person like you should forgive that man for what he did, but even so, it's not the same as forgetting. If you don't teach him a lesson for this, he will just believe that what he did was acceptable."
[20:33] <Kotono> "I do deserve better...and he has to be taught a lesson..." That is said in her slurred voice as she sits up, "That's what I'll do then. I'm going to tell him I deserve better and kick him out to teach him a lesson! See how he likes sleeping in that whore's flearidden pile of hay she alls a bed!"
[20:35] <Aaeru> "Ah, if you're going now, then please allow me to make sure you get home safely?" Aaeru offers.
[20:36] <Kotono> "I'm not that drunk!" She wobbles as she stands, "The room's just dancing, that's all!"
[20:36] <Janson> "Damn straight!" Janson encourages, "He'll come begging you back in no time, but then it'll be up to you what you do with him - you might have found someone who properly appreciates you by then!" He then offers her a hand as she wobbles.
[20:36] <Aaeru> "I don't really know if that means you're drunk," Aaeru admits, offering her hand to steady the woman from the other direction. "But there's no harm in accepting help, is there?"
[20:38] <Kotono> With both hands she goes stable, "C'mon, I'm going to go home and give him a piece of my mind!"
[20:39] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 63." [1d100=63]
[20:40] <Kotono> Leading a drunk, rich woman along goes well enough. It's warm today as you are lead to the New City. One of the m any lines of large, rich houses in it's middle is your destination. Here she stops and points at the three story building, "Home!" She looks to each of them, "...and who ARE you two, anyway?"
[20:41] <Janson> "Janson," the redhead repeats, pointing to himself. "I did introduce myself... but you never said your name, good lady," he prods.
[20:41] <Aaeru> "Aaeru," she likewise repeats the introduction. "Pleased to make your acquaintence."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Lisanne Goulder." She introduces herself as she steps forward, "Who deserves better than a cheating slob of a husband!"
[20:44] <Janson> "That you do!" Janson grins. "Go in there and give him hell, Lisanne! Show him you're a woman who means business and deserves only the best!"
[20:46] <Kotono> "Damn right," Lisanne steps forward, wobbling but upright as she starts to march towards her home.
[20:46] <Janson> "Should we stick around to watch the fireworks?" Janson asks quietly, sidling up to Aaeru as Lisanne approaches her home.
[20:48] <Aaeru> Worrying over this strange sensation that something is about to go wrong, Aaeru nods absent-mindedly. Looking contrite for not paying proper attention a moment afterwards, she whispers back, "She might need our help."
[20:49] <Janson> "I hope not," Janson whispers, "It would look bad for her as a woman of standing not to deal with her own husband properly. But maybe the other woman isn't going to back down lightly?"
[20:51] <Janson> roll 1d20+6 listening
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 listening and gets 25." [1d20=19]
[20:53] <Kotono> The two settle into wait. The first minute or two is quiet then you can hear shouts. "WHOREMONGER! ADULTERER!" and those sort of things can be heard from Lisanne. You can hear a man's panicked voice screaming, "IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" before you hear loud crashes. Several of them.
[20:53] * Janson winces at the crashes, unable not to sympathise with the surely battered man even though his upbringing tells him that the woman is entirely in the right.
[20:54] <Aaeru> Showing alarm at the crashes, Aaeru waits to hear any signs that Lisanne or her cheating husband are still alright.
[20:55] <Kotono> The sign is louder crashes! A few moments later the front door opens! A lean, slender man in black leggings and a green tunic comes running out! Plates are tossed out after him, shattering on contact with the ground! "STAY OUT, CHEATER!" Lisanne can be heard from within! Meanwhile he's making a break for it, hurrying down the yard and to the street!
[20:56] * Janson keeps out of the way to let the man run, sollemnly nodding at justice having been done.
[20:57] <Aaeru> "The breaking of one's nuptial vows is one of the hardest things to forgive," Aaeru says gravely as the man flees further down the street.
[20:58] <Kotono> Off and off he goes, running down the street in a panic! Lisanna stumbles to the door, calling out, "GO TO HELL, WHORE LOVER!" a scream at the top of her lungs, before she slams the door shut.
[21:00] <Aaeru> "Do you think she would have been less angry if it had been one of her friends instead?" Aaeru asks Janson curiously. "Rather than a prostitute, that is?"
[21:02] <Janson> "Well, the village didn't have prostitutes, and everyone knew everyone so we were all basically friends..." Janson blushes slightly, "Usually they find a way to work things out to satisfy the better woman. I guess it's different, though, since there were too few men for anyone to keep long grudges over us."
[21:04] * Aaeru nods. "If my village had any, I never came across them. Living in a large city is so different, sometimes!"
[21:05] <Janson> "It's a big learning experience," Janson nods, smiling happily at having someone to share it with. "Should we go back to the tavern and find the others?"
[21:06] <Aaeru> "Why not?" Aaeru responds, returning the smile. "Things seem alright here, at least for now."

[Corwin]

[20:04] <Andria> "I am indeed! Andrea Redfall, at your service," the girl states as she gives a showy bow and smiles, hoping to put the man at a little bit more easy. Hopefully a little less scowly. "How are you doing today?"
[20:08] <Kotono> That gets another long pull on his ale. He sets it down and gives Andrea a long look, "Like a barbazu's shit - hot, foul and angry."
[20:09] <Andria> "Oh, I'm sorry," Andrea says kindly. "Having some troubles? Anything I can help with as a fellow follower of Alicia?"
[20:12] <Kotono> "Got screwed." His grunt is a short one, "Client welched on paying me for two month's work."
[20:15] <Andria> "Oh, that's horrible. What kind of work was it? Have you tried going to the guard and registering a complaint? Or is the client someone from out of town?" she asks, briefly forgetting her new job, sympathizing with Vayth's plight.
[20:18] <Kotono> "I took a job from a merchant who's in town for the year. He needed some guard work done on the trail and I did it. When I got back here to collect my payment, he couldn't pay up. Said his wife and children got sick, needed to go get treated by the servants of Waukeen."
[20:18] <Kotono> After that beat he looks up, "Except it's bullshit. Pure bullshit."
[20:20] <Andria> Andrea frowns, nodding. "You saw his family was okay or something? And he still wouldn't pay afterwards?" she asks, prodding for more.
[20:22] <Kotono> "I know a liar when I hear one," He wipes his beard clean with the back of his wrist, "I called in a favor with a friend who's in good with Waukeen's faith and said it was probably bullshit, too."
[20:24] * Andria waits to see if he has anything more to say, regarding the guard or confronting that merchant.
[20:24] <Kotono> "Still," He finishes off his drink, "It's gonna be ugly no matter what I do and I may not get my money no matter what. Hell of a stupid problem."
[20:25] <Andria> "Have you tried going to the guard, to help you in resolving the dispute? If he sees that you've involved the authorities, he might get scared and relent," Andrea suggests.
[20:27] <Kotono> "Thinking about that," he says, waving a wench over for another round. He starts on that, slower with this one, "Really just weighing my options right now."
[20:30] <Kotono> Meanwhile Wayland approaches the two as Vayth tells his tale.
[20:31] <Wayland-R> "What did your friend with Waukeen say? Did his family even go? Is he still in town?" queries Wayland.
[20:31] <Andria> Andrea nods. "Well, consider the guard. It's not like they'd charge you for the service, and it is a crime, so they should be able to help," Andrea says, before pausing as Wayland approaches. "...Oh, uhm, this is Wayland, he's someone I work with at my new job, Vayth."
[20:32] <Kotono> "Hmph, that's probably best," Vayth says at last, then with a casual eye to Wayland, "New job?"
[20:32] <Wayland-R> "A pleasure to meet you, master Vayth."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Running around with someone with fancy blood?" The question is a blunt one, "Looks like you know how to carry yourself too, Wayland."
[20:34] <Andria> Andrea nods. "Myself and three others, Wayland here one of them, we got hired for a problem solving agency. We're going around looking to advertise our business and such. I suppose we could probably try and help too, but the guard is probably a better solution for your problem, I think."
[20:36] <Wayland-R> " Aye, I am a monk of the Order of the Divine Wind, journeyman."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Problem solving?" With a half amused look pushing his scowl into almost a smile, "A fancy name for low end mercenary work, sounds like.  How much do you charge?"
[20:40] <Wayland-R> "Well sir, you are in luck. Today is our grand opening for Whimsical Sweets & Troubleshooting. Free samples, you know."
[20:41] <Andria> "Pretty much right on what the work probably will end up being," Andrea agrees. "As for charging, I honestly don't know that we've settled on that so far. It really should have been something we should have talked about before going around town...Janson was talking about doing work for free for a bit, just to drum up interest and recognition, yeah."
[20:45] <Kotono> "Free is a good price. The merchant's name is Sanuth of Valandia. He's staying at the Dawn Pointe Inn in the Old City. See if you can find out if he's lying or not for certain, get proof and get him to pay up. He owes me 400 marks."
[20:47] <Wayland-R> "And what about your friend with the servants of Waukeen?"
[20:49] <Kotono> "He's Sammas of Waukeen," He answers, "You can find him at the new church for Waukeen if you ask around, or find out where he is. Tell him I sent you when you meet him."
[20:51] <Wayland-R> Wayland nods. "I believe that will be all we need. Andrea?"
[20:55] <Andria> Andrea nods as well, looking cheerful. "We'll do our best. You provide a valuable service with guard work, and it's not fair to allow you to be cheated!"
[20:57] <Kotono> "G'luck," Vayth bids, "I'll be here for awhile, if not I'll be in the Dancing Dragon a few streets down."
[20:57] <Andria> Andrea nods again.
[20:58] * Andria looks around for Janson and Aaeru and Sylvie.
[20:59] <Kotono> Sylvie's drinking at the bar. Janson and Aaeru seem to have made themselves scarce along with the woman they were talking to.
[21:01] <Wayland-R> Wayland taps Sylvie lightly on the shoulder. "Would you care to join us?"
[21:03] <Andria> "Where did Janson and Aaeru vanish to?" Andrea asks Sylvie.
[21:11] <Kotono> Finishing her ale, "Oh, they went off with that one drunk woman." She stands up, "Heard something about a cheating husband."
[21:14] <Wayland-R> "Cheating husbands are easy enough to solve. Just hit them until they stop. Our task will likely be a bit more difficult."
[21:15] <Kotono> "What is it?" Sylvie stretches, straining her tunic's front as she does. "What was the bearded man so surly about?"
[21:18] <Wayland-R> "He was stiffed by a man he did guard work for. Long story short, we have to confirm that he lied with the servants of Waukeen and then confront him."
[21:20] <Kotono> "Well then, let's go," Sylvie says. As you head out, you can see Aaeru and Janson returning towards the tavern.
[21:21] * Aaeru waves upon seeing Sylvie, Andrea and Wayland together.
[21:21] <Janson> "Hey everybody!" Janson waves at the group. "We've helped a distressed woman get her dignity back! Jannath would be proud!"
[21:23] <Wayland-R> "Did you beat him soundly?"
[21:23] * Aaeru shakes her head. "There are ways far better than violence, ones that won't lead to regret further down the line."
[21:24] <Janson> "What? No," Janson frowns. "How would getting other people to deal with her husband improve her dignity? We encouraged her to stand up for herself and kick him out."
[21:24] <Aaeru> "And to retain a positive outlook in life!"
[21:26] <Andria> "That's good. Did you mention our business, so she can spread word of us?" Andrea asks.
[21:26] * Aaeru looks at Andrea strangely. "That was not quite the thing to mention to a distraught woman."
[21:27] <Janson> "She probably wouldn't have remembered, anyway..." Janson mutters.
[21:27] <Andria> "Oh, I thought she wasn't distressed any more after the time you were together," Andrea states.
[21:27] <Kotono> "Wasn't that the point of all this?" Sylvie murmurs, mostly to herself, in a low voice.
[21:28] <Aaeru> Sylvie, being a smart girl, is probably right. But there will be other chances! "Have you three found ways to advertise us?" she voices.
[21:28] <Janson> "Look, we're mercenaries, not relationship arbiters," Janson declares, drawing himself up, "This was just... a good deed on the side. You can't put a price on dignity!"
[21:28] <Andria> "Well, hopefully things go well for her, I guess," Andrea adds. "And it's alright, Sylvie, there'll be other opportunities to spread our name! Like with Vayth, after we solve his problem!"
[21:29] <Wayland-R> "For the future, let us remember that there is an overarching plan to this." he says with a sigh.
[21:29] <Aaeru> "It was never forgotten," Aaeru says unapologetically.
[21:30] <Andria> "Vayth is someone I know from Alicia's temple, he apparently got cheated out of his payment as a guard, and wants us to prove the merchant is a lying cheat and to get his money," Andrea explains, regarding Vayth, for Aaeru and Janson. "So we can consider that our first job!"
[21:31] <Wayland-R> "Well, we have another job lined up anyhow."
[21:31] <Janson> "Okay," Janson nods. "How about we get the merchant *really* drunk and see what he spills?" he suggests.
[21:33] <Wayland-R> "That could work, but could also backfire."
[21:33] <Aaeru> "That does seem to be our only option from what we know of this," Aaeru admits. "People often do seem talkative when drunk."
[21:33] <Andria> "We were thinking of investigating his claim that his wife and children were sick and he was donating the money to Waukeen's temple. Plus that way we can also cover advertising at the temple!"
[21:34] <Aaeru> "Oh, that would be even easier!" Aaeru exclaims at Andrea's words.
[21:35] <Wayland-R> "If the church will back up our claims with evidence that he never donated, then we can either get the money back or get the guard involved."
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 59." [1d100=59]
[21:42] <Kotono> Thus you head down Merchant's Way. Under the light of Lathander you pass by shops. Shops of rich clothes, faraway goods, spices, magic and more. All about commerce blossoms. As you walk ahead, the temple of Waukeen in the distance, "Hey there, hey there!" A man with a smooth, sultry voice calls over as he comes out of a shope. "You there, the woman with the holy symbol necklace and friends!"
[21:44] * Andria turns to look at the man calling out. "Yes?"
[21:46] <Kotono> He wears cotton clothes, well made and dyed a pleasant blue. "A lovely day, no? Here I am to make your day lovlier! Tell me," He goes on, "Have you ever heard of Arcadian Sand?"
[21:46] <Andria> ooc: I don't know! Have I?
[21:49] <Kotono> OOC: K:P check if you have any ranks.
[21:50] <Andria> roll d20+0 yay for negative int!
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Andria rolls d20+0 yay for negative int! and gets 18." [d20=18]
[21:50] <Andria> ooc: hah
[21:51] <Andria> Andrea pauses as she strains her mind to recall what that is... "I...believe so. It's some sand that increases poise and logic, or some such. Like a medicine?"
[21:53] <Kotono> "Yes, absolutely!" He agrees, "I've just received a shipment in! I'm looking to sell it for a very reasonable price, and it would doubtless serve you well!"
[21:54] <Janson> Despite now having a job, Janson doubts he can afford such luxuries, but still listens in jealously.
[21:56] <Wayland-R> "How reasonable, good sir?" Wayland says suspiciously.
[21:56] <Andria> "I cannot speak for the others, but at least for me, I'm happy with what I have. If you need help with trying to sell your product though, we could try to point you to some shops that might be interesting in selling such a product..."
[21:57] <Kotono> "Why, 10 marks for a dose," He says, "You appear as well refined and appreciative sorts-oh!" With a look, "Oh no, no. I'm sure one of you would do well with it! It's a steal at 10 gold!"
[21:59] <Wayland-R> "Sir, I don't doubt that you could sell this to a shop and make more. How legal is this material?"
[21:59] <Janson> "So it makes you smarter, really?" Janson asks. "Like a fox's cunning spell or what?"
[22:00] <Janson> roll 1d20+6 sense motive is this dude legit
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 sense motive is this dude legit and gets 18." [1d20=12]
[22:00] <Andria> roll d20+7 same question/skill
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Andria rolls d20+7 same question/skill and gets 15." [d20=8]
[22:01] * Aaeru doesn't share Andrea's optimism over being happy with her lack of proper scholarly knowledge. She hardly thinks such things could come from eating some sort of dust, however, even if she were inclined to improve herself that way rather than through effort.
[22:02] <Kotono> "It's legal and legitiamate!" He says quickly, "This is a great offer! Come this way and I'll be happy to sell you some!"
[22:02] <Kotono> "Oh, i'ts better and cheaper than that," The man goes on, "It's pure logic of the Realms Beyond!"
[22:03] <Janson> "It can't be as good as a fox's cunning spell, and that just gives you a little boost for a few minutes. I doubt it does anything noticable at all," Janson suggests to his companions, moving away from the man.
[22:05] <Andria> roll d20+0 K:L
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Andria rolls d20+0 K:L and gets 1." [d20=1]
[22:05] <Andria> ooc: ouch
[22:06] <Kotono> OOC: Roll 1d20-20, just for kicks.
[22:06] <Andria> roll d20-20
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Andria rolls d20-20 and gets -16." [d20=4]