It's a large force six open archways into tje market let the heat of five fires blazing escape to a point. Everyone entering everyone feels the heat and sees the tense way the smiths begin to move. A single dwarf moving out from the back previously unseen.
"I thought we were pretty clear we don't need your...protection my brothers were paying for," he adds crossing large forearms across his barrel chest clad with fine robes and not work clothing like everyone else.
The dwarf is young, younger than most working in the forge. He looks cleaner and better groomed. A salesmen if you ever saw one but he's muscled and mean.
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Yes, you do, sir dwarf.says Nat firmly. And you know it. He looks around at the assembled dwarfs and half-orcs. These people are looking to you to keep them safe, aren't they. The intonation shows it's not really a question; Nat's trying to guilt him about the risk he's taking.
So, why the change of heart? Are we not fulfilling our end of the deal?
Retiog eyes the young dwarf. "Someone must think he's smarter than The Order," the barbarian says with a snort to Nat. He looks back to the others working in the back and he allows the anger being held back rise just a bit, his eyes flaring some.
The dwarf looks taken aback by Retiog's comment as even the stoking stops. ALL eyes now on the group.
"Your services," the dwarf replies. "The Empire taxes me for city watch and your Order taxes me for...whatever it is you think you do! We've lost two shipments of steel to the reach and no one is giving us compensation for all this protection we've paid for...," he trails off nervously looking at Retiog. "What do you propose I do? Pay you and pay them then hope I have a business left," he demands looking more distraught than angry!
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
That's exactly what I propose, says Nat flatly. Then he softens his manner a little, as the good cop bad cop thing seems to be working. And as you're paying up, you can tell us all about these lost shipments of steel. Locations, dates. I don't care who you told before, you're dealing with us now. We take care of our own. Nat hopes to the Gods that that's true. Persuasion21
"Fine," the dwarf says. "I can get that information for you now," he adds moving away as he waves off the others as he motion for the party to follow him towards the room he came out of at the back of the shop as work begins again.
In the office the dwarf settles at a desk.
"I'm Rowen StoneBorns," the dwarf begins. "The shipments starting going missing after the newest city watch commander took over. Commander Raines is...interesting with his tactics," he adds handing over two orders. A mix of swords, daggers, spears, bolts, and arrows. They all have this mark on them," he points to a drawing on the orders of crossed stone hammers. "The city watch is where I'd start," he adds sighing.
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
If there is another chair in the room, Nat will settle into it, possibly putting his feet up on Rowen's desk. He takes the two order papers, but doesn't read them yet. Tactics, you say? Do tell. As much information as you have, if you don't mind. He leans across the desk and speaks in a low, but friendly tone, You're also gonna want to be paying up as we're talking. I'm a patient soul, but my friend here, he nods at Ret, doesn't like to be kept waiting.
Drake would move to the doorway of the office but not go inside. He would stand at the entrance with one ear to the office and his eyes watching the other dwarves and half orcs, The kobolds clawed feet would tap against the wooden floor of the shop as his eyes dart between potential threats.
"Your services," the dwarf replies. "The Empire taxes me for city watch and your Order taxes me for...whatever it is you think you do! We've lost two shipments of steel to the reachand no one is giving us compensation for all this protection we've paid for...," he trails off nervously looking at Retiog. "What do you propose I do? Pay you and pay them then hope I have a business left," he demands looking more distraught than angry!
(OOC: "to the reach"? Is the 'reach' another organization around here?)
Retiog stands at the door of the office near the kobold. Watching the others to make sure there are no troublemakers.
OOC: the 'reach' is the slang term for the outward city where the shipments were headed. I would have asked for a history roll but meh. Lol
"He hasn't done anything to stop the thievery here and well neither has the Order. Cross purposes I think when the city steals as well as the thieves," Rowen explains looking around nervously. "His tactics are to blame the elves or the casters and force the Empire's agenda if removal," he adds next sighing.
Duc and Drake just sees the smiths working muttering to each other.
Cross purposes indeed, says Nat, and more trouble coming. Loyalty matters in difficult times. And being alone is not a good idea. Not in this city, in this Empire.
Retiog turns and enters the office. "What's taking so long? Do you need a hand looking for the coin?" He walks around behind the desk to make sure the dwarf isn't arming himself.
Nat casually rests his hand on the hilt of his shortsword. Don't worry, my friend. Rowen here was just about to pay up. Weren't you. Again, this last is not a question.
"I will give you payment now but unless my goods are recovered there will not be any more payments because I will have closed up shop," he adds pulling a bag of coin out and placing it on the desk.
Gimble remains silent moving forward and picking up the bag.
"Pleasure," Gimble says grinning before turning from the room. "We're done," he adds to the party disappearing out of the office into the forge and out into the street.
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Cross purposes indeed, says Nat, and more trouble coming. Loyalty matters in difficult times. And being alone is not a good idea. Not in this city, in this Empire.
No seems legitimately nervous about your presence and eager to get him goods back.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Nat puts his hand on the dwarf's shoulder reassuringly. That was the right choice. For you and your men. Leave it to us now. He walks out after Gimble.
It's a large force six open archways into tje market let the heat of five fires blazing escape to a point. Everyone entering everyone feels the heat and sees the tense way the smiths begin to move. A single dwarf moving out from the back previously unseen.
"I thought we were pretty clear we don't need your...protection my brothers were paying for," he adds crossing large forearms across his barrel chest clad with fine robes and not work clothing like everyone else.
The dwarf is young, younger than most working in the forge. He looks cleaner and better groomed. A salesmen if you ever saw one but he's muscled and mean.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Yes, you do, sir dwarf. says Nat firmly. And you know it. He looks around at the assembled dwarfs and half-orcs. These people are looking to you to keep them safe, aren't they. The intonation shows it's not really a question; Nat's trying to guilt him about the risk he's taking.
So, why the change of heart? Are we not fulfilling our end of the deal?
(Has Drake been noticed)
Retiog eyes the young dwarf. "Someone must think he's smarter than The Order," the barbarian says with a snort to Nat. He looks back to the others working in the back and he allows the anger being held back rise just a bit, his eyes flaring some.
Intimidation 20
Drake is hidden for now.
The dwarf looks taken aback by Retiog's comment as even the stoking stops. ALL eyes now on the group.
"Your services," the dwarf replies. "The Empire taxes me for city watch and your Order taxes me for...whatever it is you think you do! We've lost two shipments of steel to the reach and no one is giving us compensation for all this protection we've paid for...," he trails off nervously looking at Retiog. "What do you propose I do? Pay you and pay them then hope I have a business left," he demands looking more distraught than angry!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
That's exactly what I propose, says Nat flatly. Then he softens his manner a little, as the good cop bad cop thing seems to be working. And as you're paying up, you can tell us all about these lost shipments of steel. Locations, dates. I don't care who you told before, you're dealing with us now. We take care of our own. Nat hopes to the Gods that that's true. Persuasion 21
"Fine," the dwarf says. "I can get that information for you now," he adds moving away as he waves off the others as he motion for the party to follow him towards the room he came out of at the back of the shop as work begins again.
In the office the dwarf settles at a desk.
"I'm Rowen StoneBorns," the dwarf begins. "The shipments starting going missing after the newest city watch commander took over. Commander Raines is...interesting with his tactics," he adds handing over two orders. A mix of swords, daggers, spears, bolts, and arrows. They all have this mark on them," he points to a drawing on the orders of crossed stone hammers. "The city watch is where I'd start," he adds sighing.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
If there is another chair in the room, Nat will settle into it, possibly putting his feet up on Rowen's desk. He takes the two order papers, but doesn't read them yet. Tactics, you say? Do tell. As much information as you have, if you don't mind. He leans across the desk and speaks in a low, but friendly tone, You're also gonna want to be paying up as we're talking. I'm a patient soul, but my friend here, he nods at Ret, doesn't like to be kept waiting.
Drake would move to the doorway of the office but not go inside. He would stand at the entrance with one ear to the office and his eyes watching the other dwarves and half orcs, The kobolds clawed feet would tap against the wooden floor of the shop as his eyes dart between potential threats.
Duc accompanies the group inside, waiting with Drake just outside the office, looking back out towards the workers.
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Lyreis - Level 6 Elf Fighter - Eberron: Omega
DM - Dzenda: The Cracks - DM - Dzenda: Whispered Tales
(OOC: "to the reach"? Is the 'reach' another organization around here?)
Retiog stands at the door of the office near the kobold. Watching the others to make sure there are no troublemakers.
OOC: the 'reach' is the slang term for the outward city where the shipments were headed. I would have asked for a history roll but meh. Lol
"He hasn't done anything to stop the thievery here and well neither has the Order. Cross purposes I think when the city steals as well as the thieves," Rowen explains looking around nervously. "His tactics are to blame the elves or the casters and force the Empire's agenda if removal," he adds next sighing.
Duc and Drake just sees the smiths working muttering to each other.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Is this guy stalling? Insight 5
Cross purposes indeed, says Nat, and more trouble coming. Loyalty matters in difficult times. And being alone is not a good idea. Not in this city, in this Empire.
Retiog turns and enters the office. "What's taking so long? Do you need a hand looking for the coin?" He walks around behind the desk to make sure the dwarf isn't arming himself.
Nat casually rests his hand on the hilt of his shortsword. Don't worry, my friend. Rowen here was just about to pay up. Weren't you. Again, this last is not a question.
"I will give you payment now but unless my goods are recovered there will not be any more payments because I will have closed up shop," he adds pulling a bag of coin out and placing it on the desk.
Gimble remains silent moving forward and picking up the bag.
"Pleasure," Gimble says grinning before turning from the room. "We're done," he adds to the party disappearing out of the office into the forge and out into the street.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
No seems legitimately nervous about your presence and eager to get him goods back.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Nat puts his hand on the dwarf's shoulder reassuringly. That was the right choice. For you and your men. Leave it to us now. He walks out after Gimble.
Drake would snicker aloud as he bounces out into the street behind the others, his rusty blades occasionally scraping the floor as he does so.
"Enjoy your day." Retiog gives the dwarf a nod as he follows behind the others making sure no one has any second thoughts.
Once outside, the half-orc allows himself to relax some. He then turns to Gimble. "Are we not going to look into their missing shipments?"