Malvoisin's Savage Tide, Act 1 - There Is No Honor

[hafrogman]

Keoni gives the newcomer a once over, considering the threat the man might pose. He seems like an unsavory sort. Still, Anar and Kalen are best at dealing with people, better to let them do the talking and decide what action is appropriate.

He closes his eyes and lapses into a small meditative state for a moment. Sharpening his senses to the hint of danger. When his eyes open again, his sight is clearer as he has filled himself with the keen senses of the Storm Serpents. He shares his blessing with his friends, ready for any danger that might spring.

[sblock=ooc]Senses aura[/sblock]

 

[Malvoisin]

Anar considers the half-elf carefully, looking him over with an appraising eye. "That depends on who is asking, friend...are you an associate of his?"

"Associate...yeah, I s'pose you'd call us associates. Name's Shefton, an' I can tell you where Vanthus is...if you'd care to make it worth my while. I'd say that kind of information oughta be worth five gold pieces, eh?" The half-elf holds out a grubby hand to emphasize his last question.

 

[Rhun]

Anar cocks his head, a slightly incredulous look on his face. "Come now, Shefton...how am I supposed to know the information you've got is worth five gold? Why don't you tell us what you know, and if what you say is valuable to us, then we'll go ahead and pay you. Sound fair?"

OOC: Diplomacy +5, attempting to get Shefton to tell us what he knows before we pay him. Anar isn't trying to shaft the guy, but also wants to make sure the group doesn't get shafted. Also, Sense Motive +1.

 

[stonegod]

There was one thing about the old man that anyone who knew him learned quickly---he didn't trust people. This was the new Col, the old Col never had these concerns. But the new one dealt with things better left unspoken, and that tends to introduce you to company that is not always on the up and up. So it paid to be careful. Thus, the old man peered at the newcomer intently, making sure some twitch or change of tone didn't betray him.

OOC: Sense Motive (w/ any bonuses from Keoni if applicable). Col will be doin' this all conversation. Strangers showing up w' what you want are usually called trouble.

 

[Legildur]

Bael sits quietly, nursing his wine. He wonders if the half-elf is an associate of Vanthus, and that he may be leading them to a trap with the information.

 

[Voadam]

Kalen smiles at the newcomer. "Come and sit Shefton, I'll buy you a drink and you can tell us how you know Vanthus, then we can talk about how much where he is now would be worth."

 

[Malvoisin]

Anar cocks his head, a slightly incredulous look on his face. "Come now, Shefton...how am I supposed to know the information you've got is worth five gold? Why don't you tell us what you know, and if what you say is valuable to us, then we'll go ahead and pay you. Sound fair?"

(Diplomacy Check)
"Afraid I'm gonna need to see a little coin before I tell you anything, guv'nor. A pair of gold coins, at least. How'm I supposed to know you're as good as your word? Besides, I hear you've been asking all over the district for ol' Master Vanderboren. It ain't like you've got a lot of leads is it?"

Kalen smiles at the newcomer. "Come and sit Shefton, I'll buy you a drink and you can tell us how you know Vanthus, then we can talk about how much where he is now would be worth."

Shefton considers Kalen's offer, then pulls up a chair. "Well, if you're buying, I'll partake of a shot, thank you kindly. All I can tell you for free is that Vanthus and I are business partners, of a sort. I'll need to see some of that coin to tell you anything more."

(Sense Motive Checks)
It's pretty obvious to Col and Anar that Shefton is trying to work the group over for money, but they've no reason to believe that anything he's said is untrue.

 

[Legildur]

Bael smiles to himself as the exchange continues. If it were more than a few gold coins, he'd inject himself at this point to try and protect the group from paying for something they already know. Besides, his companions seem sharp enough to him to manage things. He continues to watch for trouble - someone may not like this half-elf talking to them.

 

[Rhun]

Anar removes a pair of gold coins from a pocket, dancing them across his fingers, and then sliding them into the center of the table. The rogue smiles at Shefton. "That should prove our good faith in you, my friend. Now, what can you tell us of Vanthus and his plans?"

 

[Malvoisin]

Anar removes a pair of gold coins from a pocket, dancing them across his fingers, and then sliding them into the center of the table. The rogue smiles at Shefton. "That should prove our good faith in you, my friend. Now, what can you tell us of Vanthus and his plans?"

(Anar, -2 gp)
Shefton quickly grabs and pockets the pair of coins offered by Anar. "All right, then, but you/ll be owin' me another three, mate, after you hear what I've got for you. Vanthus has been livin' for the past few days in some old, abandoned smuggler's tunnels under Parrot Island. In fact, for some extra compensation, I could lead you right to the entrance. What say you to that, mates?"