039.2 "It's a hot offer."

[Corwin]

[19:41] <Kotono> A day passes. The next morning all but Andrea gather at Whimisical Sweets. It's not open for candy business, though on entering you see Silver and Sylvie restocking various cases. "Josa's upstairs with Simmer," Sylvie calls around and armful of mints and loaves of honeyed elf bread. "Go on, we'll be upstairs in a couple."
[19:42] * Wayland nods at Sylvie and heads upstairs.
[19:42] <Janson> "I hope there's a fun and easy and high paying job waiting up there," Janson sighs wistfully before grinning at the absurdity of his hope, heading up to find out what horrors await.
[19:43] <Aaeru> "I hope it's a challenge," Aaeru says, ready to face anything the world throws at them.
[19:45] <Kotono> You get grins back, as Silver mutters something under her breath. Upstairs you go! Simmer's kicked back in a chair, a red, crystalline longbow on her lap. She's reading a book and waiting. Josa stands before the table, hands clasped, "Ah welcome, welcome, welcome! Do be seated, for our affairs this day wil require great expenditure of air as we debate and talk overmuch."
[19:46] * Aaeru strongly suspects that it is only Josa, but sits down all the same.
[19:47] <Janson> "No jobs, huh?" Janson asks, going to claim a seat.
[19:48] * Wayland sits as well. "What've you got for us?"
[19:49] <Kotono> "Ah, of course there are jobs! I have several jobs, but there are other matters first!" Josa claps his hands together, "First of all, if you haven't heard, Andrea will be leaving tomorrow for a few weeks. She is going with Brent's father to Valandia, to see if Lathander will grant Brent a new dawn and another life in this world. Today she's at a holy holiday of her faith, Alicia's day of ascension.
[19:49] <Kotono> So we will be slightly shortstaffed for the foreseeable future."
[19:50] <Janson> "We'll make do," Janson declares steadfastly. "Was just four of us to start with, after all."
[19:52] <Kotono> "ABsolutely! That is the resolute spirit I was hoping for and I daresay that I expected it from each of you! Excellent! Superb!" Josa nods vigorously to this. "Second of all, the supply closet has been refilled, especially with a batch of Healing Nectars. I do believe all of you have taken several, but do not hesitate to take more at any time. We must mind our health, and sadly the endless
[19:52] <Kotono> vagaries of fate chisel away at our sheltered bud of vitality."
[19:52] * Janson nods, starting to tune out Josa's excessive verbosity.
[19:52] <Kotono> "Which means you got your ass kicked hard enough to not want to die?" Silver calls up the stairs as she flies up, Sylvie following. She takes a chair near Janson, while Silver goes to plop down on the table.
[19:53] <Aaeru> "Do we have a new and dangerous job?" Aaeru decides to risk asking.
[19:55] <Kotono> Josa turns red at that, giving Silver a perilous look. Clearing his throat, "We do have jobs of varying risk." He gestures to the Job Board, "Please, go read and indulge."
[19:55] <Kotono> Simmer shrugs, getting up and going to read the board. Sylvie follows, taking a peek. "I know a few of them, I wrote them up this morning."
[19:56] <Aaeru> At that invitation, Aaeru gets up herself and approaches the board from the side, so as to not block it away for others.
[19:56] * Janson goes across to peek over Sylvie's shoulder at what's on offer!
[19:56] * Wayland stands and has a look. "Anything good?"
[19:58] <Janson> "Someone's harassing Sinnah?" Janson sounds appalled. "I could manage talent scouting, and hunting for roc feathers is convenient for me anyway, but I really don't like the sound of that first one. Has she talked to you about it, Aaeru?"
[19:59] <Aaeru> "Sinnah... is paying us for help?" Aaeru asks out loud, just as shocked. She shakes her head. "No, but we just got back. Maybe it happened while we were gone...."
[19:59] <Kotono> "Doubt it," Sylvie pipes up, "Shec ame by this morning just at dawn. I didn't talk to her, but she looked a bit upset."
[20:00] <Wayland> "She didn't mention it to me, and I just saw her a bit ago."
[20:00] <Wayland> "Must have happened since then."
[20:00] <Aaeru> "I'll help her!" Aaeru says then and there. "But we can't take her money like that, Josa. It's really not right."
[20:01] <Kotono> "Indeed," Josa says, "It is in our interests and our good fortune to help her, for the obvious reasons." Josa nods, "Go help her then, Aaeru. Consider it paying our debts on the affair. Take one other with you to help." Then to the others, "Once that's decided, what jobs appeal?"
[20:01] <Janson> "Her church did resurrect Wayland for free," Janson adds, "It's the least we can do."
[20:01] <Aaeru> "Silver, are you free?"
[20:02] <Wayland> "I agree. I'm personally in debt to them more than I can ever repay. Roc feathers and shocker lizard bounties sound good. Sounds like quick money."
[20:02] <Kotono> "Me?" Silver blink-blinks. "As in go on a job with you?"
[20:02] <Aaeru> "Yes. Except you won't get paid."
[20:03] <Janson> "You probably are the scariest one here," Janson adds supportively for the little fairy.
[20:03] * Aaeru nods.
[20:03] <Kotono> "No payment, possibly dangerous work instead of laying around and snacking on candy? On the other side, no Josa..." She rubs her chin a moment, "Sold! Let's go!"
[20:04] <Aaeru> "Great!" Aaeru glances at Josa. "I'm sorry I couldn't help Gracel, but Sinnah sounds like she's in real danger. Can you tell him that?"
[20:04] <Kotono> Josa takes a long, exhaling breath at that, "Go then. May Tymora bless your every step and ensure nothing but good fortune and profit follow."
[20:05] <Aaeru> "Umm. Okay." Giving the othes a wave, Aaeru heads for the House of Suffering and their non-paying client.
[20:05] <Kotono> "Good luck," Sylvie says peering at the board, "So which ones should the rest of us take? Gonna go lizard hunting, Wayland?"
[20:06] <Wayland> "Janson, want to go solo or team up?"
[20:07] <Janson> "Should be easy for you since electricity is your element, right?" Janson asks Wayland. "So long as I don't get too close to them I can help, and I need a roc feather myself so it's a good job for me."
[20:08] <Kotono> "You two have fun," Simmer says, "I think it's obvious I'm going to that crematorium."
[20:08] <Janson> "You should bring along some backup, though, just in case the blockage isn't completely innocent," Janson suggests. "A spell of fire resistance would let someone else go along."
[20:09] <Wayland> "Alright then. Sylvie, you want to go with Simmer?"
[20:10] <Wayland> "Or a few of us could go get some lizards, then circle back and take care of the crematorium together."
[20:10] <Janson> "Shouldn't leave the job hanging for weeks," Janson points out, "They'll just fix it themselves or get someone else."
[20:11] <Wayland> "That's true."
[20:18] <Kotono> "Why not," Sylvie shrugs, "Or on that, how about we do toher jobs and then we all go lizard hunting once we've exhausted all of the local jobs?"
[20:19] <Wayland> "Either way works out for me. Janson needs the feather, and I don't think the Sahuagin left a time limit." Wayland nods.
[20:19] <Kotono> "That task has been there awhile, and the sahuagin are in no hurry to recind the offer to any and all," Josa agrees thoughtfully. "It's a carryover, it's been there awhile.:
[20:20] <Janson> "That sounds like a good idea, the shocker lizards aren't going anyway. Want to go talent hunting with me, then, Sylvie?"
[20:21] <Kotono> "Okay," Sylvie says, "Wayland, why don't you go with Simmer? Then we sort out the remaining jobs when we're finished with these two?"
[20:22] <Janson> "So where's Knight Canel hang out?" Janson asks, looking between Josa and Sylvie.
[20:25] <Kotono> "Ridgeback Inn on Merchant's Way," Josa speaks up, "Room 32."
[20:25] <Janson> "Lets go, then?" Janson offers the blonde his hand before setting off.

[Corwin]

[20:28] <Kotono> -------------
[20:30] <Kotono> Once outside on the streets, Sylvie exhales. "Thanks." she turns to Janson and smiles, taking his hand, "I thought I was gonna get stuck on either that Gracel job..." An open shudder, "Another round of entitled teenage angst would make me take a pair of nunchucks and brain myself to escape the pain. That crematorium? Yes, let's go investigate the fire piping with someone who might just
[20:30] <Kotono> have a screaming orgasm if the world caught on fire." Shivering, "It just screamed that I'd end up horribly burned somehow."
[20:32] <Janson> "Aww, I would've been happy to go crawling around in pipes with Simmer," Janson pouts, feeling a bit bad for her. "You probably could've taken the negotiation one, you'd be good at that. But it's nice to work together, isn't it?" he perks up with a smile.
[20:34] <Kotono> "If you're going to date in your job, you may as well have the benefits," Sylvie says brightly, "C'mon, let's go meet this Knight."
[20:37] * Janson nods and follows Sylvie's lead, interested to see just what sort of talent they'll be scouting.
[20:38] <Kotono> It's a nice enough inn, room 32 found without incident. The door is opened promptly! Within is a man in armor, breastplate, armguards, greaves and shield. On his breastplate is a green field, with three suns shining above it. He has brown hair and a brown beard, one eye squinted mostly shut. A well worn greataxe is strapped to his back. He offers a hand out to Janson, "Errant Knight
[20:38] <Kotono> Canel," he greets, "Whimisical Sweets?"
[20:40] <Janson> "That's us," Janson shakes the hand offered. "I'm Janson and this is Sylvie. You're looking for help with talent scouting and research?"
[20:43] <Kotono> "I am." His handshake is strong, stepping aside. A table has been placed aside, a decanter of water and glasses on it. He goes to sit, "A fellow of your company crossed my path in Parsifal and spoke of Whimisical Sweets. He impressed me enough to hire your services."
[20:45] <Janson> "Well, we'll try and live up to that," Janson takes a seat opposite him, leaving room for Sylvie to follow. "To start with, what sort of talent are you scouting for?"
[20:53] <Kotono> "Anyone. Sneaky rogues, powerful warriors, wise wizards." He goes to sit, "You see, Purinn is a new nation that saw firsthand how armies are no longer the rule of the day. King Ferdi's grand army fell before a handful of the Crimson Guard and the Empire of Malmuth was shattered. Many people from outside of the Baronies joined the Crimson Guard, giving them even greater strength. To be
[20:53] <Kotono> plain of it, Purinn wishes to develop it's own core, people who would put down root sand enjoy privilege within the Principality."
[20:56] <Janson> "Hmm. So you want us to try and find really skilled people here in Balmuria that might be interested in devoting themselves to Purinn?" Janson nods as he digests that. "I guess first off, what are you offering?"
[20:58] <Kotono> "Rank equal to a Captain's rank to begin with, with quarters, authority and pay to match it." Canel replies, "Essentially a path into the nobility as you rise in the ranks."
[20:59] <Janson> "How much does a captain earn, anyway?" Janson asks. He knows captain Wedge seems to be pretty high up at least.
[21:00] <Kotono> "Roughly 100 of your marks, before any further privlidges and benefits." Going on from there, "In particular, we'd be willing to pay more for exotic talents...especially any like your fellow Wayland's."
[21:01] <Janson> "Huh? Wayland just punches people," Janson frowns in thought, trying to figure out what's so exotic about that.
[21:02] <Kotono> "You don't know?" That gets a gawk from Canel, "The armor he materializes and the sources...I've never seen anything like it! It may very well be a new discipline of magic he's found!"
[21:03] * Janson blinks and looks at Sylvie, leaning close and whispering - not really quiet enough for Canel not to hear at all, really, "Did you know about that?"
[21:03] <Kotono> Sylvie raises an eyebrow, "It's similar to Mage Armor," she observes, watching this around a sip of her water. She then whispers back, "You didn't? Hadn't you noticed?"
[21:06] <Janson> "No... he never made a big deal out of anything like Andrea and Aaeru do, I guess..." Janson shrugs helplessly and straightens up, facing Canel and coughing decorously. "Anyway! This sounds like something we can help you with. We'll need a clear idea of the benefits and how far you're willing to go for exceptional talents, as well as what you'd consider too weak or common, though."
[21:09] <Kotono> "Exceptional warriors, wizards, faithful or any such. Final judgment will be in my hands, so merely bring me good potentials and I'll settle the matter then." He gets up and goes to a pack on the other side of the bed, taking out several scrolls. He hands them to Janson and Sylvie, "Each one has a summary of the benefits. Feel free to give them out to the right people."
[21:10] <Janson> "Thanks," Janson smiles, wondering if he should be interested for his own sake. "How long are you going to be in Balmuria for?"
[21:11] <Kotono> "At least a few weeks, though longer with any sort of progress," Canel says, "If we find a few suitables I'll leave to escort them to Purinn." He folds his hands together, "If you do well, Prince Klaus has authorized a large bonus to you, as a symbol of thanks."
[21:14] <Janson> "That's nice, although we'll work to our normal fee scales regardless - it's not a dangerous job by the sounds of it, so it'll be 25 gold per day we put in, plus expenses," Janson smiles. "Anything else you think we need to go over before we start, Sylvie?"
[21:17] <Kotono> Sylvie ponders this for a few moments, "I think we're good," she says at last.
[21:18] <Kotono> "Excellent!" With a broad smile Canel rises, offering his hand out again, "Good hunting."
[21:19] <Janson> "Thanks, we'll send any prospects your way," Janson shakes his hand while getting up, before heading outside with Sylvie and then having a good look at the scroll of benefits once out in the hallway.
[21:21] <Kotono> It's  agrand thing - the royal seal of Purinn is on the bottom. It reads about the benefits - the pay, the promises of prestige and nobility, rank, all sorts of fawning things to get attention. It promises everything but the sky, and even then it doesn't come much short of it.
[21:22] <Janson> "Ever wonder if you're in the wrong job?" Janson idly asks Sylvie.
[21:25] <Kotono> "Little bit," Sylvie opens up and checks one of her scrolls, studying the seal. She hums and puts it away, carrying the others with her. "I like Balmuria enough, and honestly, they sound desperate as much as alluring. I've also heard nothing good about Prince Klaus."
[21:27] <Janson> "Hah!" Janson laughs, "Glad I've got you around to keep me right," he pats her hips affectionately. "So, any ideas on where to start looking? I was thinking of seeing if any Crimson Guard people are unhappy with their work."
[21:30] <Kotono> Sylvie smiles and comes closer, resting against him in the hall, "We could do that. I think we need to ask ourselves the question 'where are talented people that want to change loyalties and countries?'"
[21:33] * Janson is actually somewhat stumped by Sylvie's question. "Drinking themselves stupid because they're depressed over not fitting in where they are?"
[21:34] <Kotono> "Exactly!" Sylvie smiles winsomely, "We're going to go bar trawling for promising mercenaries and sorts! Besides, we can get drunk as we work, and that sounds like a great workday."
[21:35] <Janson> "Oh, you're the best!" Janson hugs Sylvie tight at her incredible planning skills!
[21:37] <Kotono> "Let's go!" Sylvie says, pausing a moment, "Well no. It's not even noon, too early for anyone but the barflies. How about you take me bookshopping, we have lunch then we hit the bars?"
[21:37] <Janson> "Solid plan," Janson is happy to go along with that one.
[21:44] <Kotono> The morning passes in an orgy of spending and books. Oh, what's a few books to make someone you care about happy, anyway? After dropping themo ff at Sylvie's home and getting a quick bite to eat, "So which taverns and part of the city sound good," Sylvie asks.
[21:49] <Janson> "Hmm, they'd probably be transients, right? Since otherwise they'd settle down here in Balmuria. So that could be the harbour for people coming by boat, or near the gates for the New City and the Commerce Quarter?" Janson suggests. "Why don't we start with the docks and we'll work our way upmarket as the night goes on to end in the Commerce Quarter?"

[Corwin]

[19:47] <Kotono> "Docks are good. We can start with some grog?" Sylvie offers as you head down to the docks!

OOC: Are you looking for anything in particular or just any random bar there?
[19:50] <Janson> OOC: I figure we'll just trawl through all the ones in each given area, drinking sparsely. Sylvie can use Knowledge (Local) for any insider tips on likely people or hangouts, and I can use Spot/Sense Motive to notice any people who look badass and Detect Magic to spot any people with magic loot, which is the sure sign of an adventurer.
[19:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21 KL for Sylvie (+4 inspiration)
[19:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 KL for Sylvie (+4 inspiration) and gets 33." [1d20=12]

[19:56] <Kotono> Sylvie leads you along to the edge of the docks, tucked away against edge wall of them. Here is a tavern called the Seashell's Whistle, bustling with people. Sailors, captains and other sorts all are about here, drinking away festively. "Wanna take a look around while I get us some drinks?"
[19:57] <Janson> "Sure - remember we're gonna be hitting a lot of these places so we'd better pace ourselves," Janson suggests, lingering near the bar while Sylvie gets their refreshments and casting his professional eye across the clientele in search of a likely mark...
[19:58] <Kotono> OOC: Make a spot check?
[19:58] <Janson> roll 1d20+10
[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 and gets 16." [1d20=6]
[20:00] <Kotono> One man stands out. HE sits at a table with his feet up, all muscle and with a long ponytail back. A saber hangs at his hip, a mug in a hand as he leads several others dockhands in song! Something about Umberlee and banging the ocean, most of the singers are rather drunk so it's muddied. "Aye!" he calls, "Another round for everyone!"
[20:02] <Janson> A possibility, although Purinn being so far inland might not appeal to him, at worst it could be a practice run. He waits for Sylvie to return so he can confer with her on the best approach to take.
[20:03] <Kotono> Sylvie comes with two mugs of booze, passing one over to him. "Any luck?"
[20:04] <Janson> "That guy looks like he can handle himself," he nods to the ponytailed figure, taking a swig of his beverage. "Dunno if he'd like Purinn since he seems fond of the sea, and popular around here anyway, but I don't see any other prospects around here. How do you think we ought to approach him?"
[20:08] <Kotono> Your mate takes a long swig herself before giving a shrug. "Worth a shot. At worst we get into a drunk barfight." Sylvie considers, "Not particularly graceful, but that could be a good test too. He looks like he bleeds machismo, do something like that to make him respect you. Treat him like a leader, a man, a champion. A bare shirted, rugged..." Sylvie stars at him a moment, before
[20:08] <Kotono> averting her eyes, "Yeah, like that."
[20:14] * Janson just stares at Sylvie, before blushing. "Uh, yeah... not really familiar with that type," he admits, feeling himself lessened in her eyes, and suddenly deciding he doesn't like their potential target. "Ah screw it, I'll just wing it," he decides, starting over to the group of raucus dockhands. "Let me cover that round for you, friends!" he offers, putting some money on the table
[20:14] * Janson - he'll get it back as expenses anyway, after all.
[20:19] <Kotono> This gets more cheers and a few slaps on his back, as the target looks up to him. He raises his mug, "Right generous of you," he says, "Name's Bawol, serpent killer." Sylvie hangs back for the moment, letting Janson do his thing.
[20:24] <Janson> While Janson could legitimately claim to be a dragon-killer, it feels like taking an awful lot of credit considering it was just a little baby dragon... then again, does he really want to give up even further when Sylvie is right there? "Hah, I bet there's a story there - knew from looking you were a man who'd have a few stories to his name," he begins, drawing him out. "Me? I'm Janson.
[20:24] <Janson> Fought a few wild things here and there, but never a sea-serpent."
[20:26] <Kotono> "Really?" Bawol gestures, "I defeated the sea serpents off the trackless jungles between here and the newlands of Kesse. You?"
[20:31] * Janson sits down. "Werewolf in the Galkass Mountains, dragon in Ysgard, chain devil and dragon-hound in Hell..." he lists off, deeming the fact that the Marauder ran away as sufficient grounds to claim victory. "I had help of course... not everyone got away from those last two fights. But those are the risks we take, us rugged manly warriors, am I right?"
[20:35] <Kotono> The man peers at Janson a moment, before nodding and raising his class, "Cheers to that!" he calls, another round of cheers following! At this Sylvie comes over, going to sit into Janson's lap. She curls up, "He's so wonderful! You won't believe the things he's done!"
[20:40] * Janson grins as Sylvie she climbs aboard. "That's the adventurer's life, though, isn't it? Death and danger at every turn... didn't think I'd make it out of Hell, but there are things you gotta fight for, right?" he gives the blonde a squeeze for emphasis. "What about you, Bawol? Any of those serpents get close?"
[20:42] <Kotono> Sylvie just hangs off Janson, "Isn't it?" She giggles, nuzzling into him. Bawol laughs and laughs, "Aye, they did! The only way to destroy the vortexes was to dive in, so that I did! I swam to the core and found the mother serpent! I took these two hands!" He holds them up, "And grabbed her by the neck! I ripped scale after scale off, until I ripped it's lizard jugular out! I made it
[20:42] <Kotono> choke to death on it's own blood and shattered the vortexes!"
[20:43] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 sense motive for how full of shit is he
[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 sense motive for how full of shit is he and gets 11." [1d20=1]
[20:44] <Kotono> Janson can't get a read on him, though it sure sounds good!
[20:49] <Janson> "That's what I'm talkin' about!" Janson raises his mug cheerfully in response to such stirring heroics, taking a swig. "Listen here, Bawol, you sound like a man who knows how to get things done," he leans closer over the blonde in his lap. "I dunno if you're plannin' to set sail again anytime soon, but if you're interested in staking a claim further inland, I might have a proposition
[20:49] <Janson> for you."
[20:50] <Kotono> Sylvie just makes come-hither eyes, smouldering and seductive. Bawol nods, "I don't know what the future holds, but I'll hear you," he says, taking a deep drink. "What's you proposition?"
[20:50] <Kotono> Sylvie just makes come-hither eyes, smouldering and seductive. Bawol nods, "I don't know what the future holds, but I'll hear you," he says, taking a deep drink. "What's you proposition?"
[20:54] <Janson> "There's a lot of angles goin' on in what used to be old Malmuth. Purinn's looking for folks who know how to handle themselves - real heroes, not crappy tin-can soldiers, and they're willing to lay it all out to get them on side - gold, land, title... show the man the bill of goods, will you, Sylvie?" he asks his partner in crime who holds the scrolls. "Somebody that knows how to play
[20:54] <Janson> their cards right down there could carve out a sweet little fief, maybe even go better than what the Crimson Guard pulled off around here."
[20:55] <Kotono> Sylvie withdraws a scroll, leaning over the table to pass it over. She lets her assets hang as she does, smirking at Bawol as she passes it over, "It's a hot offer," she says in a throaty little whisper, going back to nuzzling Janson.
[20:56] <Kotono> Bawol opens the scroll, taking a few moments ot read it. "Hmph." He says, before at last standing up. "Who do I see about this?"
[20:58] * Janson blushes a little at how Sylvie's acting, but trusts she knows what she's doing. "Go see Canel, he's staying at Ridgeback Inn on Merchant's Way, room 32. Sounds like real easy money, and it costs you nothing to ask. Just tell him we sent you," he recommends.
[21:02] <Kotono> "Why not?" He rises, tossing a sack of clinking coins down, "Barkeep, get ther est of the tavern so drunk the guard has to carry them all home!"
[21:03] <Janson> "There goes a true gentleman," Janson raises his drink, unable to refute that kind of generosity.
[21:03] <Kotono> "Cheers!" Sylviec alls, draining her glass! After she makes  ashow of kissing Janson's ears, but in reality she whispers, "Want to move on now, see if we can find another couple?"
[21:05] <Janson> "Lets," Janson replies, not having seen any other prospects in this establishment, so he puts down his mug and lets Sylvie get up first before following and heading out. "That was... uh, that was quite an act you put on," he manages at last once they're outside.
[21:11] <Kotono> Oh, Sylvie has a coy little smile as she reaches to pat Janson's butt. "Those sort of people want to see women as sex objects. Someone who has a beautiful woman is obviously doing it right to them and is a real man."
[21:14] <Janson> "Oh," Janson blushes, "Right... it was, um... I like having you close, but you're a better person than an object," he replies, fumbling a little over his words thanks to having been thrown a bit by her attitude around the whole thing. "Uh, anyway! Where to next?" he quickly links his arm with hers, eager to move on.
[21:32] <Kotono> "I know I am, just playing the part," Sylive links arms with Janson, "I'll lead you along to the Crow's Nest, that one's not bad." The Crow's Nest is a little less crowded but filled with the same sort of people. Sylvie goes and fetches drinks as...OoC: Do your thing, Janson.
[21:33] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 spottan
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 spottan and gets 17." [1d20=7]
[21:37] <Kotono> No one immediately gets Janson's attention as Sylvie returns with mead this time. "Anyone?"
[21:37] * Janson shakes his head. "Everyone looks pretty normal..." he accepts the drink but hesitates to do anything with it. "Wanna linger here or move on?"
[21:39] <Kotono> Sylvie takes a sip of it, "You're the spotter. If ou think we can find anyone here, we stay. If not, we go."
[21:40] <Janson> On the off chance he checks around for any magical auras...
[21:43] <Kotono> OOC: Make a caster level check?
[21:43] <Janson> roll 1d20+6
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 and gets 14." [1d20=8]
[21:44] <Kotono> No magic is about. Looks pretty plain overall.
[21:44] * Janson shakes his head and puts his drink down untouched. "Lets move on, no fish here," he decides.

[Corwin]

[19:55] <Kotono> On you go! Sylvie leads you agreeably away from the docks now, "We've hit allt he good places there, the rest are just rum and grog joints," she adds with a giggle, "Where did you want to go after that? Refresh me."
[19:57] <Janson> "Lets try places around the West gate in the New Town?" Janson suggests. "After that we can work our way down to the Commerce Quarter, so we get classier as the night goes on," he concludes with a laugh of his own.
[20:00] <Kotono> The next bar is the Fairwind. It's all richer woods and pleasantness, smelling of better booze than the previous places. Sylvie gets you brandy this time as Janson does his thing...OOC: Do your thing.
[20:02] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 spot talent
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 spot talent and gets 22." [1d20=12]
[20:03] <Kotono> No one of note here, as Sylvie takes a sip of her brandy. "Any luck?"
[20:05] <Janson> "Nah," Janson sighs, but he elects to at least linger and drink his brandy rather than let it go to waste. "At least no one that looks the part that I can see, anyway."
[20:08] <Kotono> Sylvie works on hers. It's a pretty quiet and nondescript bar. Most of the people here look like the well off higher working class, wth a few farmers and earthy people sprinkled in. "Well, we can't expect worthy heroes to just be sitting around every bar, can we?"
[20:10] <Janson> "And most heroes are gonna be pretty happy with life besides," Janson agrees, content to take a few to drink and relax before moving on. "Still, we can try another approach tomorrow maybe, but we've still got a few taverns to work through tonight. Might be a bit sore getting up in the morning, though," he grins at her.
[20:11] <Kotono> "Oh well, hell with tomorrow," Sylvie waves a hand, "Let's go!"
[20:23] <Kotono> A few more bars pass in a growing haste of booze and laughter. You and Sylvie have a grand old time as you make to the Commerce Quarter, meandering into the Silver Fox. Sylvie goes for something brown and strong this time, "So ya see anyone," she asks as she passes a shotglass over to Janson.
[20:24] <Janson> roll 1d20+10
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 and gets 11." [1d20=1]
[20:27] <Kotono> Not a person offhand. Just a lot of rich foreigners and bodyguards.
[20:29] <Janson> "Nope!" Janson replies brightly, downing his shot and leaning on Sylvie as his face screws up for a moment at the kick. "I think we're runnin' out of bars!" He then leans very close to her ear and whispers - although thanks to all they've drank tonight his idea of whispering is a little skewed, "Maybe we should pick a fight and see if anyone's hiding hidden power?"
[20:31] <Kotono> Sylvie grins at that, "You rouge!" she giggles in a 'whisper',  "Do it!"
[20:32] * Janson nods quickly, sufficiently spurred on by her encouragement, drawing himself up and going to stand somewhere with space around. "I dare anyone," he begins in a loud voice across the tavern, "To punch me as hard as they can!" He thumps his chest for emphasis. "Right here!"
[20:34] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 50." [1d100=50]
[20:35] <Kotono> He's a tall, big man. Lots of muscles as he strolls right on up, "Lookin' for a fight, boyo?" He cracks his knuckles.
[20:36] <Janson> "If I think you're worth my time," Janson shoots back, putting on his game face. "Come on," he thumps his chest again, "Lets see what ya got! Show me this tavern ain't just full a' wimps!"
[20:41] <Kotono> At that, teh big man draws his fist back and gathers power, before one titanic punch hits Janson dead on! (More)
[20:42] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 (-3 PA) I assume you're not particularly dodging, so I'm just rolling to see if he crits or 1s.
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 (-3 PA) I assume you're not particularly dodging, so I'm just rolling to see if he crits or 1s. and gets 22." [1d20=18]
[20:42] <Kotono> roll 1d3+7
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3+7 and gets 9." [1d3=2]
[20:42] <Kotono> Oh, that's a punch. From the pain that flares up the guy knows how to fight!
[20:44] * Janson grunts from the impact but holds his ground! "Alright! Yeah!" he psyches himself up, "Hit me again! One more, and if I'm still up, I'm gonna hit you, so you better make this one count!"
[20:45] <Kotono> Oh, you have attention now, as the man grins! "So you ain't some pantsshittin' nancy? Right!" With that he strikes again with all he has!
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 (-3 PA) I assume you're not particularly dodging, so I'm just rolling to see if he crits or 1s.
[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 (-3 PA) I assume you're not particularly dodging, so I'm just rolling to see if he crits or 1s. and gets 18." [1d20=14]
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d3+7
[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3+7 and gets 9." [1d3=2]
[20:46] <Kotono> WHAM! JAnson weathers another punch as Sylvie slightly winces, "H:ey, don't hit him so hard! I like that chest!"
[20:47] <Janson> "Hah!" Janson exhales, grinning fiercely, "Good! That's what I came here to find! What's your name, pal?" he asks as he curls his own fist.
[20:47] <Kotono> "George," He cracks his knuckles, "George of Victoria."
[21:06] <Janson> "Alright, George, I'm Janson. And now I'm gonna find out if you can take it as well as you can dish it out!" he warns, before uppercutting the man's chest and springing backwards, rebounding off of him to deliver more force in his own punch!
[21:06] <Janson> roll 1d20+5 attack
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+5 attack and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[21:06] <Janson> roll 1d3+1+2d6 damage w/ skirmish
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d3+1+2d6 damage w/ skirmish and gets 13." [1d3=3][2d6=4, 5]
[21:07] <Kotono> The blow is enough to make the man stagger with the uppercut, lifted off the ground for a split second! He grinse ar to ear after, crackling his knuckles, "Ain't so bad yourself."
[21:08] <Janson> "George, I like ya!" Janson declares, walking over and clapping an arm around his shoulder. "Sylvie! Get some drinks for us and our new friend - we've got a proposition for ya, George!"
[21:11] <Kotono> Drinks are gotten, Sylvie working on another one as she does! The three end up at a table, "I like you too! You really took that punch good! Wayland knows how to take a punch and you do too."
[21:25] <Janson> "Taking punches is important in a fight," Janson nods sollemnly. "You been in many fights, George?" he leans on the table and downs his next shot while waiting for an answer.
[21:26] <Kotono> "More than a few," George agrees, slamming odwn his drink. "Gotta know how to take care of yourself, yeah?"
[21:28] <Janson> "Damn right!" Janson points at him. "But takin' care of yourself is more'n just fighting - it's gettin' paid, too! And it just so happens that Sylvie an' me," he waves his pointing finger between himself and the blonde, "Know about a good deal that's goin' around. But it's only fer folks that can handle themselves, not wimps or timewasters! Have we got yer interest yet, George?"
[21:30] <Kotono> "Yeah, sure," He nods along after that, "Gotta make gold and silver, yeah?"
[21:33] <Janson> "S'right. And Purinn's looking for badass fightin' folk to work for 'em - they wanna make their own Crimson Guard but better - and they're willin' ta lay it all out to get the right folks. Gold, land, title, respect, gear... s'all there for the taking! Show 'im the spiel, Sylvie?" he claps an arm on her shoulder at that.
[21:35] <Kotono> Sylvie hands it over, giving him a wink, "The guy doin' it looks rich, too, so you know they're loaded over there. Buncha old Malmuth gold, I bet!"
[21:36] <Janson> "Yeah, you go see Canel at the Ridgeback Inn on Merchant's Way. You tell him we sent you and that you're badass enough to handle it, he'll set ya right!" Janson encourages.
[21:40] <Kotono> "Hah!" George gets up, "Damn right I'm gonna!" he declares, getting right on up and headingout! Sylvie watches him go, polishing off her drink, "Sooooo...think that's enough? Check on Canel tomorrow sometime?"
[21:42] <Janson> "Lets try for three!" Janson retorts enthusiastically. "C'mon, we're Whimsical Sweets and we get results!" he hugs Sylvie and picks her up as he rises himself, full of energy after his exhilarating manly contest of trading punches!

[Corwin]

[20:25] <Kotono> Sylvie gives Janson a hug, lifted right up! She laughs along, "Hey, put me down!" she calls, slapping at his back.
[20:26] * Janson quickly complies, obedience to females ingrained enough to penetrate his drunken happiness. "Sorry," he blushes. "But anyway, yeah! We can't stop here! We need another!"
[20:28] <Kotono> "Another!" Sylvie calls, hiccuping. Thinking a moment as she taps her cheek, "I know another place we can try."
[20:29] <Janson> "Great! Lead the way!" Janson gestures grandly to the door, wrapping the other arm around the blonde and marching in haphazard step with her.
[20:33] <Kotono> The two stumble along in the early evening, people giving them a wide berth. You end up in...hell, Janson misses the name. Does it matter? It's another bar and Sylvie passes another drink into his hands. "So," she sits down next to him, "Do ya see anyone?"
[20:34] * Janson takes a generous gulp of his new beverage and scopes out the talent on display...
[20:34] <Janson> roll 1d20+10
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 and gets 21." [1d20=11]
[20:37] <Kotono> Hm? What's that? A man dressed in casual, loose clothes sits amid others. He naturally stands out, listening to conversation and occasionally directing it. He just seems stronger, above them.
[20:38] <Janson> "What about that guy there," Janson nods his head to the individual in question after thoroughly examining all talent on display, and only just avoiding being distracted by Sylvie's. "Looks like officer material to me, don't ya think?"
[20:41] <Kotono> He has short blonde hair and an easy smirk that isn't offputting at all, but almost enthralling. "Oooh, I like him," Sylvie nods, "How 'bout we get him over here and talk him up?"
[20:42] * Janson nods and saunters over. "Hey there!" he greets the man with a big friendly smile. "How's it going? You having a good time tonight?"
[20:46] <Kotono> Around him are af ew people, who pause in conversation. He looks to you, stroking his short beard. "I am. What can I do for you?"
[20:48] <Janson> "Well it could be what we can do for you," Janson retorts proudly. "I'm Janson and this is Sylvie. We're looking for people with guts and smarts, people that know how to grab an opportunity with both hands," he mimes fiercely grabbing something in the air in front of himself, "You," he points at the man, "Look like a man who's used to being in charge. A man who gets results! And that's
[20:48] <Janson> exactly what we're looking for!"
[20:50] <Kotono> "Hiii!" Sylvie waves and giggles!
[20:50] <Kotono> The man gives the two of you a look, gesturing, "My friends, why don't you sit down?"
[20:51] * Janson drops himself into a convenient seat with gusto! "So what's your name, what do you do around here, friend?"
[20:54] <Kotono> "I'm Bettam, adventurer and man of the world extrodinare, friends." He sits back, "So you hav ean offer you want to give me, eh? I'll consider it on one condition."
[20:55] * Janson grins at Sylvie upon hearing his job description, before nodding severely. "Hit me with whatever you got," he encourages.
[21:02] <Kotono> Sylvie flashes a big grin right back, as meanwhile Bettam replies, "I can only respect people who have the approval of Tymora." He reaches into a pocket, taking out a deck of cards. "Poker, 5 card draw. 20 marks a hand. If you can win three hands I'll hear you out."
[21:04] <Janson> "Tymora loves us, doesn't she, Sylvie?" Janson grins and reaches into his coin-purse, slamming a bundle of gold coins onto the table. "Don't worry if we take your money, you'll get it back and more from our offer."
[21:09] <Kotono> "Damn right she does!" Sylvie says, kicking back to watch! At this the cards are dealt! Janson gets a pair of jacks with a 9, 7 and 3, all of differing suits. Bettam looks at his hand, "I'll draw three," he says, doing just that.
[21:10] <Janson> "I'll draw five!" Janson declares since his cards are shit and he wants new ones.
[21:15] <Kotono> Janson gets an Ace, a 10, a 4, and a pair of 3s. "Well, pair of kings over here, friend," Bettam puts his cards down, "What did you get?"
[21:16] <Janson> If only he'd kept that other three... "Two threes," Janson sighs and lays out his cards. "Must be Beshaba's turn on me, tonight."
[21:18] <Kotono> THe coins vanish, Bettam chuckling, "Too bad, my friends. Want to try again? Surely Tymora has more mercy than that!"
[21:18] <Kotono> Sylvie frowns, "Luck. Hate relying on it, knowledge only helps so much with poker."
[21:19] <Janson> "I'll try another hand to see if things get better," Janson decides, putting up another twenty coins.
[21:21] <Kotono> Another hand is dealt! King, seven, seven, five, two. Four of the cards are hearts, too! Sylvie peers over to Janson's hand, "Gonna gamble much on that?"
[21:22] * Janson nods thoughtfully and trades away his non-heart card.
[21:25] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 spot for shenanigans
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 spot for shenanigans and gets 12." [1d20=2]
[21:25] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 sense motive for shenanigans
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 sense motive for shenanigans and gets 16." [1d20=6]
[21:26] <Kotono> Janson gets the ace of spades. He doesn't see anything awry, though Bettam seems amused. "I'll take four," he says, doing so. "What do you have, friend?"
[21:27] <Janson> "Nothing good is what," Janson shows his cards. Maybe Bettam had similarly dismal luck?
[21:29] <Kotono> "Pair of fives," he shows, a junk hand with two matched fives. "Sorry friend," Another 20 marks vanishes away, his smirk growing. "Want a third go around?"
[21:30] * Janson mulls it over this time, not particularly wanting to throw away more money on what seems to be a losing proposition. "Eh, fuck it, I'm no good at this game," he declares. "But if you like gettin' easy money, maybe you'll hear us out, anyway?"
[21:33] <Kotono> He chuckles at that, "Tell you what. Go buy me a bottle of something good up there," he gestures towards the bar, "WE can discuss it over drinks."
[21:36] <Janson> Now he's just starting to piss Janson off. "I just bought you a week's worth of drinks, it's in your pocket right now," he retorts, unamused. "You know what, never even mind. Think I was mistaken to start with," he stands up.
[21:38] <Kotono> Sylvie follows suit, "Really now, if you wanted free drinks you could've said so, or been honest with dicking us over."
[21:39] <Kotono> At this Bettam frowns, "Friend, you sound like you're blaming me for your failings at poker." He stands up as well, "If you aren't man enough to play the game, you should go back home to your Mother's teat!"
[21:41] <Janson> "Winning a game's fine, but you got greedy!" Janson points accusingly at him. "But alright, you think you're all manly? How about you play my game, now?" he grins and straightens up, looking down at the smirking gambler.
[21:43] <Kotono> "What's your game?" He fires back, as people start to turn and pay attention to the scene.
[21:44] <Janson> "You punch me," he thumps his chest, "I punch you. First one to drop loses... unless you're chicken and you give up," he concludes with a leering grin.
[21:48] <Kotono> "A bar fight?" Now he gives Janson another look alltogether, a mix of amusement and disgust. "Unlike you, friend, I don't need violence to solve my problems or fill my pockets. Besides, if your fighting skill is anywhere close to your poker talent, your girl is probably a better fighter."
[21:50] <Janson> "She actually is," Janson admits without rancor, "But Poker's a game all about luck - so forget Tymora, this is a game where you get to suffer like Ilmater!"
[21:51] <Kotono> "What he said," Sylvie cracks her knuckles, "I could kick your ass for being a loudmouthed coward, but how about you do what Janson says?" She grins at that, "So what's it gonna be?"
[21:55] <Kotono> "Well then," Bettam smiles, one hand reaching into his pocket as he eyes Janson. "I suppose that does make the choice easy."
[21:56] <Janson> It's blatantly obvious he's going to pull something nasty out of that pocket and use it rather than engage in honest fisticuffs, so Janson tenses ready to do something before something can be done to him!
[21:58] <Kotono> "That is..." His hand jerks out, some sort of vial about to be thrown! OOC: Go ahead and act, he doesn't have ranks in anything to hide him drawing it.
[22:00] <Janson> Janson steps forward and chops down at Bettam's forearm to make him drop his vial or at least ruin his aim!
[22:00] <Janson> roll 1d20+5 disarm vs CMD?
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+5 disarm vs CMD? and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[22:08] <Kotono> A quick movement of Janson's hand hits Bettam's forearm! The vial is knocked to the ground, breaking open! A clear liquid leaks out, wasted onto the ground! At this Bettam smiles wider, "Good reflexes, friend. I see..." He hesitates a momnet, before making a break for the door!
[22:08] * Janson just shrugs and lets him go. Not like he intended to beat the shit out of the guy or anything. "Sorry to chase your friend away?" he smiles gamely at Bettam's crowd of admirers.
[22:10] <Kotono> You get a crowd of dirty and shocked looks, Sylvie kneeling next to the vial and inspecting it a moment.
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 31." [1d20=13]
[22:11] <Kotono> "Looks like oil of taggit in modified form," she looks up, "Nothing but a smile and pretty words, eh?"
[22:11] <Janson> "Well hey. A guy like that ain't the hero Purinn needs anyhow - leastwise this way we cleared that up before wasting anyone's time," he grins at Sylvie. "C'mon, think we're done for the night?"
[22:14] <Kotono> With that Sylvie takes Janson's hand and leads out, the two going home! Oh sure, the next morning is a tough one, but it's not like you need to get up early. Sylvie does look distinctly out of sorts when the two of you meet at Whimiscal Sweets around lunchtime, "C'mon," she says immediately, "Let's get out of here. We still need to go check in on Canel and see how those two went." In a
[22:14] <Kotono> lower voice, "I'm also ready to wrangle Josa's neck today."
[22:15] <Janson> "How, what's he done?" Janson asks her in a similarly low voice as they head out to their client.
[22:16] <Kotono> "Identifying some treasure Wayland found while I had a hangover," Sylvie grunts.
[22:18] <Janson> "So you lowballed it and they lose out?" Janson shrugs, "Hell, they found treasure at all they should feel lucky, I'm sitting on a huge loss on this job 'cause of that asshole gambler last night," he grumbles.
[22:19] <Kotono> "Asshole," Sylvie agrees, "To think, we'd run into a grifter when we were looking for good, honest, hardworking adventurers!" With a little tut-tut, "Next you'll tell me that Canel's promised bonus is going to go up in smoke."
[22:20] <Janson> "Well it probably will unless we find some really awesome heroes right quick," Janson admits. "But hey, two isn't bad for one night's work, right?"
[22:21] <Kotono> "Hopefully they impressed Canel," Sylvie agrees as you two go. You find Canel in his room, "Ah, Whimisical Sweets!" He greets you grandly, "Welcome, welcome, welcome." He ushers you inside to the table, pouring water for all. "I've already seen some of the fruits of your labors."
[22:23] <Janson> "Yeah, George and Bawol?" Janson asks, taking the offered water. "What'd you think of those two?"
[22:24] <Kotono> "Bawol will be excellent!" He nods quickly, "George has potential as well, we'll be dealing with them I think." He pauses a moment, "Bawol will be pricey, but more than worthwhile if I'm correct."
[22:25] <Janson> "Yeah, did he tell you about those sea serpents?" Janson asks, wide eyed and impressed.
[22:27] <Kotono> "Oh yes I did!" Canel agrees, "A magnificent story! Assuming they check out, we'll be very pleased with Whimisical Sweets. If they do, that will be enough for this job as I'll likely escort them to Purinn. Of course, with such excellent service, we'll have more work for you in the future."
[22:29] <Janson> "Really? Well glad to hear it!" Janson grins. "In that case, really, it'll just be the twenty five marks for yesterday's work, plus another twelve for expenses."
[22:31] <Kotono> "It'll be more than that," With a smile, "Give us a few days and we'll ascertain their worthiness. If so, you'll get a reward bigger than that." He offers his hand out, "In Purinn we pay well for success."
[22:32] <Janson> "Well alright," Janson accepts the handshake, "But if you want to hire us for any further scouting, you know where the shop is."
[22:32] <Kotono> "I will," He so promises, taking Sylvie's hand as well.
[22:33] <Kotono> "Please, come again," she says, all smiles, "We're always happy to help!"