(Adventure) A Tidy Profit... [Judge: Uriel]

[silentspace]

(OOC: Agreed. Although Jo never said we might be running back soon... he only thought it.)

OOC: Right, I knew that! Can't you read what I mean, not what I write?

 

[Jack Haggerty]

Atella and Jo walk back up the peir towrad the dockside street. As soon as they step into the street, a tall, slim figure steps out from the alleyway toblock their way. He is a tall human, dressed fastidiously as a minor noble would. He is smoking a pungent smelling cigarello and looks upon the three of you with grim authority. "I had noticed that you were looking about Mr. McGlynn's ship," he states quietly. "I am Captain Liam Word, and perhaps you have some information that might prove useful to me.

"Mr. McGlynn, you see, was acting as courier carrying a very important document that had been stolen from King Haxim of Falloon. I was sent here to collect the papers from Mr. McGlynn and return them to King Haxim. Unfortunately, Mr. McGlynn has run afoul of my adversaries. He is dead and the papers have gone missing. If, perchance, you should have any clue as to the where abouts of the package he was carrying, the Royal Court of Falloon would be most appreciative." He pulls a small purse from a belt pouch, and it jingles heavily with money. "If you could bring the package to me directly, they would be even more so." A second purse of money appears next to the first.

 

[orsal]

Atella, Jo and Zhang walk back up the peir towrad the dockside street. As soon as they step into the street, a tall, slim figure steps out from the alleyway toblock their way. He is a tall human, dressed fastidiously as a minor noble would. He is smoking a pungent smelling cigarello and looks upon the three of you with grim authority. "I had noticed that you were looking about Mr. McGlynn's ship," he states quietly. "I am Captain Liam Word, and perhaps you have some information that might prove useful to me.

"Mr. McGlynn, you see, was acting as courier carrying a very important document that had been stolen from King Haxim of Falloon. I was sent here to collect the papers from Mr. McGlynn and return them to King Haxim. Unfortunately, Mr. McGlynn has run afoul of my adversaries. He is dead and the papers have gone missing. If, perchance, you should have any clue as to the where abouts of the package he was carrying, the Royal Court of Falloon would be most appreciative." He pulls a small purse from a belt pouch, and it jingles heavily with money. "If you could bring the package to me directly, they would be even more so." A second purse of money appears next to the first.

(OOC: Is Zhang with us? I thought he was staying with the humans.)

"I am sorry", Jo replies, "We were not looking around the boat; we had come down to deliver a parcel to a man who was down here, a priest of Grendath who has already left. We know nothing more about that situation, and are now returning. Good night, sir. (Diplomacy: +4)

I wonder if this has anything to do with the delivery that brought us down here, he thought, or with the strange humans down there... all the more reason I don't want to get caught up in this matter. Could be good money, but it's not what I'm good at.

 

[The Goblin King]

OOC: Zhang stayed on the boat.

 

[Jack Haggerty]

OOC: Zhang stayed on the boat.

OOC: Sorry, my mistake... Fixed.

"I am sorry", Jo replies, "We were not looking around the boat; we had come down to deliver a parcel to a man who was down here, a priest of Grendath who has already left. We know nothing more about that situation, and are now returning. Good night, sir."

"Indeed", the foppish fellow takes a long draw on his cigarello, still standing in your path. "Hmmm, yes. This just the sort of information I am looking for. The sort of information that could pay well, if elaborated upon."

"Not to mention how unfortunate it would be, should my, well... competitors... discovered your involvement." He tosses the smouldering stub of his cigarello down to the cobblestones, and snuffs it out with the toe of his boot.

 

[Scorpio]

D'Artagnon, keeping an eye on the departing pair, sees the confrontation in the dim light at the end of the dock. He quietly alerts Gurian and Zhang,motions to them to wait, and then quietly, as discretely as possible, hiding and tip-toeing among anything possible, sneaks as close to the conversation as possible without being noticed.....D'Artagnon has his whip readied....and he makes no attempt to allow anyone to notice...


[OOC-Whew, tall order, I know, but you get my drift,eh?
PS-Where is Gurian??????(his real side, that is)...???

 

[orsal]

OOC: Sorry, my mistake... Fixed.

"Indeed", the foppish fellow takes a long draw on his cigarello, still standing in your path. "Hmmm, yes. This just the sort of information I am looking for. The sort of information that could pay well, if elaborated upon."

"Not to mention how unfortunate it would be, should my, well... competitors... discovered your involvement." He tosses the smouldering stub of his cigarello down to the cobblestones, and snuffs it out with the toe of his boot.

"Good sir", replies Jo, "I hardly think our engagement as couriers could constitute `involvement' in this mysterious matter; indeed, as I said, we know nothing of what is going on, save that something seems to be mysterious. However, if you really have some reason to believe that we are in danger, perhaps you would be so good as to explain?"

(OOC: Jack, let me know if Jo sees or hears D'Artagnon creep up. It may affect his action, although he does not yet know who would be on what side.)

 

[silentspace]

Atella winces inwardly as Jo explains their business on the docks. Then he winces again as Captain Word starts threatening or cajoling them with that information.

Well, it does sound like a good offer. And Captain Word's competitors are probably the thugs. If one had to choose between two sides, the side which tries to buy you is generally preferable to the side which bullies you with thugs, no? Jo seems to be taking a somewhat aggressive attitude here. I wonder what angle Jo's working?

Atella looks directly at Captain Ward, then at the bags of coin, widening his eyes a bit.

Might as well play the role of the greedy mercenary. Let him know I'm interested in that carrot he's dangling in front of us. Besides, he might be on the level.

 

[Jack Haggerty]

...and then quietly, as discretely as possible, hiding and tip-toeing among anything possible, sneaks as close to the conversation as possible without being noticed.....D'Artagnon has his whip readied....and he makes no attempt to allow anyone to notice...

D'Artagnon, confident that he hasn't been noticed, catches odd snippets of the conversation over the lapping of the waves against the pier. He hears the newcomer introduce himself as Captain Liam Word, something about a stolen royal document and a reward for its recovery. He also gets the gist that the half-elven druid has demurred.

"...However, if you really have some reason to believe that we are in danger, perhaps you would be so good as to explain?"

"Oh, you are in danger. There is no doubt about that," the Captain assures Jo evenly, "but if I explained, you would be even more so."

Captain Word glances once over Jo's shoulder, and Jo can hear faint movement behind him.

Atella looks directly at Captain Ward, then at the bags of coin, widening his eyes a bit.

Might as well play the role of the greedy mercenary. Let him know I'm interested in that carrot he's dangling in front of us. Besides, he might be on the level.

The Captain catches Atella's gaze and grins, knowingly, "And what about you, my friend? Or does the half-elf speak for you as well?"

 

[The Goblin King]

Zhangsun realizes he has no skill for sneaking and spying so he stays put. He stands guard on the ship, crossbow drawn, scanning for any threats.