[Adventure] The Paper Chase (Judge: renau1g)

[raion]

[sblock=rolls]Dungeoneering, History, Insight, Streetwise (1d20+3=16, 1d20+4=12, 1d20+3=16, 1d20+12=27)[/sblock]

Giving a sharp look at Mythra, he speaks "I appreciate what you're doing.. It was truly terrible hearing about the accident. It would be an honor to work with you on this." His tone is clearly one of polite empathy.

 

[MetaVoid]

Orsik nods at the mention of professor Howard, even he, new to this continent heard of him. He also notices subtle signs of tension in the professor.

"My name is Orsik, people call me The Small. I already decided to help you even if that means picking some strange flowers" he smiles at Mythra "May I ask, why are you reluctant to rediscover professor Howards theories? I mean, you worked different fields so it's hard to imagine you were direct rivals or something like that. Do you suspect he discovered something better left burried? Why did he stop writing?"

History; Dungeoneering;Streetwise (1d20+2=22, 1d20+4=12, 1d20+1=3) - it's good when rolls support your background (history natural 20 )

Insight auto succeedes (passive 21)

 

[Antithetist]

Farrow blanches a little at Mythra's blunt suggestion that Howard might have died. Serris's more sympathetic approach yields a nod of understated gratitude. "You heard, then, about the fire?"

"The truth is that Howard may well indeed be dead," he says in heavy tones, with a glance at Mythra. "He has vanished."

He turns to address Orsik's questions. "As you say, we were no rivals. Professionally, he was less than nothing to me, but... he was a friend. One of the few men with whom I could have an intelligent conversation." He sighs heavily. "In truth he had not been himself for some time before the recent calamities. As you say, he stopped publishing, and his manner changed. And then, the disappearance. Thus, you see, my wish to develop what insights I can from the fragments that remain of his research notes, despite my singular lack of interest in his field. I rather doubt that anything will come of it, but it is worth attempting on the offchance that some light will be shed upon his present whereabouts and circumstances."

 

[raion]

"What do you know about the site? You've already mentioned a vanishing team, and artifacts of some power.. Is that usual for Dhakaani locations?" Serris asks, attempting to steer the conversation towards a decision.

[sblock=ooc]You've all got +2 Diplomacy and Intimidation while Serris is nearby. Might be worth noting. Also a bonus to OAs, though if that comes up now we're probably not hired.[/sblock]

 

[Cleverusername]

Baracus stands by while the wizard and the researcher have their battle, a smile on his face at Mythra's temper.

At a lull in the discussion he pipes in, "Name's Baracus." the man says, leaning casually against the wall, large arms crossed across his barrel chest.

[sblock=ooc]
Dungeoneering, History, Insight, Streetwise (1d20+4=11, 1d20+1=10, 1d20+4=20, 1d20+2=6) [/sblock]

 

[Antithetist]

"What do you know about the site? You've already mentioned a vanishing team, and artifacts of some power.. Is that usual for Dhakaani locations?" Serris asks, attempting to steer the conversation towards a decision.

"Fairly typical, I suppose," Farrow replies with an off-hand shrug. He glances back at his cigar, which has gone out, and relights it with a click of his fingers before taking a long puff. "I've never before taken a hand in such things, but many of my colleagues here at Morgrave have made a career of sponsoring teams to delve into such places. It's known as hazardous work, with commensurate rewards for those who excel in it. Of course, not every old ruin holds anything of interest or value, but it appears that enough of them do to make the business of exploring them fairly lucrative."

 

[MetaVoid]

"I hope they made the passages big enough. I am ready to go. Is there anything specific you need us to find besides dead party?"

 

[Antithetist]

"I hope they made the passages big enough. I am ready to go. Is there anything specific you need us to find besides dead party?"

"Only the site itself," Farrow says with a wry smile. "Perhaps Howard had discovered its exact location, but if so, those notes were lost. All we have is a reference to an ancient Dhakaani temple in the region of what is now Khyber's Gate. In the intervening millenia since its construction I imagine it may well have been built around, buried, or converted into some other purpose, but some concerted efforts on your part should bring the truth to light. Not many ruins of that antiquity still exist in the Upper Cogs, so I doubt that you will find yourself with an overabundance of Dhakaani temples to choose between. I shall arrange for you to have access to the University's library, in case you wish to make use of whatever resources it might have to shed more light on the temple's location."

He pauses for a moment, eyeing up the party. "Now then, if you are satisfied, I suppose that we should discuss payment. Your largest chance for renumeration will undoubtedly come from any finds you make in the temple itself, but naturally I do not expect you to make this venture on my behalf without any payment from me. I am prepared to offer a reward of... oh... let's say... five hundred gold coins, if you can bring me back anything that offers insight into Howard's interest in the place or what befell his team. Is that satisfactory?"

 

[raion]

"I know we were just discussing how dangerous it could be, but I'm not sure I can agree with a reward that assumes we won't all return.."

[sblock="OOC Negotiations"]Attempting to talk up the reward. Goal is 600, which would be 100 per adventurer by the front page count. Would not object to more, but not counting on anything. Not jumping up to do a full haggling thread at a page a day though..
[sblock=Roll]Negotiation of Reward (1d20+12=24)[/sblock][/sblock]

 

[Antithetist]

"An even hundred each, then? Fine, fine, done," Farrow agrees with a wave of his hand.