Sharn: Beneath The Towers IC

[Vargo]

Liu Xie looks over the man skeptically. She doesn't voice her concerns outwardly, but being asked to take on a task without being able to ask questions first concerns her.

Sense Motive (1d20+3(Wis)=14+3=17)

For Harvey:
[sblock]P.S. Here's a listen check to hear what Eldon said to the barkeep. Listen check (1d20+8=20)[/sblock]

 

[Guest 11456]

Ka’ashawndrah Leelootuu Treeglitter Elf Enchantress

As Eldon finishes, Kah speaks up as well. "And what of the group that went before us? Word on the street is that you have already lost at least one other adventuring group in the Cogs."

OOC: Diplomacy roll 17.

 

[Harvey]

OOC: Rewind... Back at the bar:

For Liu:
[SBLOCK] You overhear, in response to Redblade calling Eldon little, Eldon reply "I told you nix on the term little. I've got some ladies with me. Let's not reinforce the size difficulties, okay?"[/SBLOCK]

OK, back at Vestan's:

"Good sir. I think that your offerings as reward for a job well done are most generous. However, I would like to discuss our starting funds. Considering what we may require to purchase to appropriately equip ourselves for this exploratory mission, perhaps 200 gold to each of us would server us all better. I would not wish (and I am sure you would agree) for anything that may be truly amiss in the Cogs to be left unattended should we meet it unprepared..."

Diplomacy 15 He seems to mull your proposal over in his head. "You make a valid point, however who's to say you don't just run off with my gold, eh? Let's say 150 gp each, with an additional 550 gp each upon completion of the job."

For Liu:
[SBLOCK]You don't get the sense that he is particularly asking you to take on a task without being able to ask questions first, he seems like a generally impatient person. [/SBLOCK]

"And what of the group that went before us? Word on the street is that you have already lost at least one other adventuring group in the Cogs."

Vestan seems a bit shaken. "Other adventuring group? Why, your "word on the street" must be mistaken. I've never hired another adventuring team." Vestan's voice turns a bit belligerent. "Now, are you going to take the job, or not?"

For Coal, Liu, and Wan-Tan:
[SBLOCK]Coal Sense Motive 25, Liu Sense Motive 21, Wan-Tan Sense Motive 16 Vestan is obviously lying about hiring another team.[/SBLOCK]
For Kah:
[SBLOCK]Sense Motive 2 You seem to believe everything Vestan is saying, and are having doubts as to what you may have overheard at the bar.[/SBLOCK]

 

[tyrlaan]

Eldon Splinthollow, Halfling Rogue/Warlock

"That seems most resonable sir. I think we should be able to muster up any additional funds necessary from the few earnings we have made on previous ventures."

Eldon holds on this comment for a short moment, hoping that perhaps his mild exaggeration of having to scrape for funds might garner a bit more money out of Vestan.

"I think that we are ready and willing to take this mission on. What say the rest of you?"

Eldon looks to the rest of the group.

 

[Guest 11456]

Ka’ashawndrah Leelootuu Treeglitter Elf Enchantress

She nods. "I apologize. You know how rumors can be." She sits down in her seat. Peaches then hops into her lap and curls up for a cat nap.

 

[Vargo]

Liu Xie, Human Druid

Liu looks at the man, and chuckles. "Perhaps, if there was no other team, then the tremble in your lip, and the twitch in your eye as you called it a baseless rumor, can be waved away as just being my misperception. The way the sweat beads above your brow tells me something different. More likely, they existed, and they disappeared as well. Now, I am not rejecting your offer, but if others have gone before us, and they failed, it is important that we know this before accepting your offer. It is also important that you tell us about them, as any information you hide from us makes it harder for us to successfully complete the task you give us.”

Diplomacy (1d20+1=2)
Intimidate (1d20+1=3)

OOC: Damn, what a waste of a good speech.

 

[Harvey]

OOC: Since you get a +5 "damn good speech" bonus, you do get some results

Vestan shifts around nervously. Then, he quietly gets up and shuts the door you all came through and the door that Dassar had left through to get your drinks. He calls you all closer to him, and announces the following in a hushed whisper.

"OK, yes, I did hire a party of adventurers into the cogs, but on a somewhat unrelated job opportunity. When originally looking for a place to begin excavation, I hired adventurers that were members of the Deathsgate Guild. I paid a team of five heroes to go into some of the... shall we say... "less secure" areas of the Cogs. Unfortunately, they failed to return. When I approached the Deathsgate Guild for a possible replacement party, they denied me!" The last sentence was a bit louder than a whisper. Vestan looks nervously around, then continues. "I cannot believe that they blacklisted me. Me! The reknowned Vestan ir'Simul! Do you know what this will do to my reputation? I would like to just forget this whole unpleasantness. And as such, I am forced to look for other brave adventurers to take my mission of mercy."

"I apologize, I meant no harm in trying to hide my prior associations with the adventurers, and I would be more than happy to give you any information you might need. In fact, in lieu of this... greivous error on my part, I shall increase by offer: 200 gp each with an additional 500 gp each upon your return."

At this point, you all hear a knock on the door. Vestan calls out "Enter!" Dassar enters with a tray of 4 glasses of wine, two cans of oil, and two bowls of milk. "I took the liberty of fetching some drink for your... er, compatiots." Dassar says, eyeing the cat and the riding dog. He places the bowls of milk on the floor, and proceeds to serve the refreshments to the rest of the party. When he approaches Fixer, he says "my apologies, good sir, I am not sure what... your type drinks."

As Dassar is handing out drinks, Vestan continues, obviously embarassed by being caught in his lie. "So, are there any other questions I can help you with?"

 

[Guest 11456]

Ka’ashawndrah Leelootuu Treeglitter Elf Enchantress

As she absentmindedly strokes the cat in her lap, she shakes her head and smiles. "That is all the questions I had. We appreciate your candor. Is there a map to where you wish us to go or just some directions?" She accepts the drink from Dassar with a nod.

 

[Two-Gun Kid]

Coal was impressed that the slender woman had caught the man in his lie, as it saved him from having to speak and interrupt Eldon's bargaining session with Vestan, and when the man confessed to sending others in Coal did wonder what the exact nature of their job had been.

'Perhaps my Master will ask this and if he does not, I will speak of it before we leave.'

As a goblet of oil was placed in front of him, Coal looked down briefly and then looked over to Eldon, tilting his head slightly in the one quirk he had picked up from the halfling.

'What is this for? Is he saying that I am soon to be put into the scrap heap? That I creak like an old hinge?'

 

[khavren]

Wan-Tan will drink the wine offered, then lean back in his chair and absent-mindedly pull out his flute and finger it. "When the price goes up fast, something is wanted much, Hmmm? Still, we have ventured there before to no great harm, and the wine you offered was very fine."