(Reputation system sounds good.)

Lazarus is still curious about the mask, but will let it settle for now. Looking onto the traditional stone and wooden houses, he feels a bit more at home in the Imperial district of the city. 

I'm glad to be away from those primitive rabble back in the market, he thinks.

Approaching Miko's armory, he says to the party, "It seems we've arrived at our destination. Shall we continue inside?" 

Hush nods then pauses, "Now... who has the letter again?"

Lazarus responds by patting his pocket, "That would be me."

He will continue inside the armory, looking for the woman who placed the sign outside.

'"Hello? Are you Miko? We have a letter for you." 

The party enters the forge to see the muscular woman, somewhat surprisingly, wearing a pair of glasses. The small entry room contains a simple few chairs and a desk that serves as a registration area. The woman looks up to survey the party as they enter - it seems she is checking off a list of items. "Welcome to my forge. I am Miko," she introduces. Her eyes flicker from Lazarus to the more Wilderlands-associated members of the party. "A letter? From who? Most usually come in and order directly." 

“We’ve got a letter for your father; Lazino, right?” Holden grunts, indicating to the holder of the letter. “Old Grey gave it to us. An old tiefling living in the woods. Do you know who he might be, and why he sent a letter to your father? We were told they were friends... and that your father had passed away.”

Lazarus recovers from a brief slip of memory with an embarrassed smile. "Right, this letter isn't exactly for you. Still, Flinn recommended we talk to you, considering you are next of kin."

He slides the letter across the simple desk, giving it to her to read. 

Miko looks at the party for a moment, setting down her parchment to snatch the letter. She eyes the party curiously, opening it. Her eyes scan the parchment, growing wider as she progresses the short, tattered letter. She turns to the group. "I see you've met Old Grey. Eclectic as ever, isn't he?" She pauses for a long moment, folding her arms curiously at the group. "I thank you for bringing me the letter. I haven't had contact with him in years. I didn't know he was alive." She turns and rummages in a drawer, producing a quill with ink to write. She then reaches down into a satchel, retrieving a few coins and placing them inside. Despite her formidable appearance, she seems to have a miniscule tear forming. It is clear that Old Grey's letter had touched her. "Take some money. Split fifty gold between the lot of you." Miko takes another moment to observe the party. "Old Grey's out in the woods. Don't know how you found him, or how he found you." Another pause. Her gaze lingers over the less Imperial members of the four. "Do you folks do deliveries? It's quite dangerous in the woods. I know it may be too much to ask, but I'd like to send a letter his way. I additionally have some more deliveries for some clients that, let's say, the Imperium wouldn't take kindly to someone such as I providing. If you folks are up for some work, I will be happy to pay you appropriately."

Lazarus raises an eyebrow as he scoops up his share of the gold. "Armor-smithing must pay well..." he mutters. 

He bristled at the idea of being a delivery boy for Miko, given his noble birth and lineage. But considering the offer, he realizes that there was more than meets the eye. Miko appeared to involved in much more than just armor-smithing. What sort of clients are she talking about?

Lazarus shrugs. "What sort of deliveries do you mean, and to whom?" 

(Takes 12 gold) 

Hush flicks the remaining coins to Holden and Luxaene. Giving 12 gold to Holden, 13 to Luxaene with a wink and then pocketing the remaining 13 with a smirk.

"Oh a shady under the table deal. It's been a while," Hush says with a smile as he leans against a nearby wall or post, "What are we talking about moving exactly?"

Miko gives a glance to Hush and Lazarus. "Nothing illegal, but certain members of the Imperium's guard enjoy my smithing. The issue arises with my deals with non-Imperial or Zavas related business. If they see me lending out contracts to the Wilderness folks...it's bad business for me." She clears her throat. "Specifically, there are two packages I need delivered. One is to the Torken to the Southwest. The other is in the opposite direction - the Morka in the Northeast. The former have an interest in some substance called Fluidium, and I happen to have a small apparatus that is used to study it. I believe it is called a microscope? I ordered it from the Imperium a long time ago. The second is to my associate - Juno - who is also a smithy like I am. She has more of a talent for the arcane methods of creating items, so she decided to move to the more magically talented Morka to hopefully study. I would just like confirmation to know that she is okay. Lastly, and this was just brought up - I was wondering if you could inform Old Gray of my father's passing." She drums her fingers on the table for a moment. "A hundred gold for each journey is what I offer."

(DM Question - which direction was Old Grey?)

Quote from SpieltJoos >>

(DM Question - which direction was Old Grey?)

 (Old Grey lives on the southern border of the Morka between the Morka and the Pakora. The Zavas are located west from there. I’ll get a map up, if you’d like.)

(OOC - I think I have it from your description. Thanks!)

Hush rubs his chin in thought, "Well, we can potentially kill two birds with the one trip if we take the letter to Old Grey and then continue on to visit Juno and her magic contraptions. Magical items is definitely perking my ears up. Anyone else have a thought as to which way we should travel?" He says, looking to everyone else. He then returns his attention back to Miko, "And this payment, 100 gold. I take it you're not so generous with a letter delivery? And are you paying us on our return, or are we hitting up our contacts at the other end of our journey as to our little bit of coin?"

Miko smiles. "100 gold is for the journey. I'm rather well off. I do my own enchanting, but my specialties are limited to works of metal. You will be paid by me only for returning with word from Old Grey. I have arrangements made with Juno and the Torken. Look for a man named Aster when you arrive to the Torken. Juno will be more of a hard find, as I'm not sure where she took up shop specifically. I've never been to the Morka myself."

“I know my way around the Morka tribe.” Holden says, a tinge of resentment in his voice. “Although I don’t like the idea of going back, 100 gold sure is enough motivation. Thank you.” He says, making eye contact with Miko. “We will bring back word as soon as possible. I’ll make sure of it.”

Lazarus seems to be in deep consideration for a moment, perking up when he hears the words "arcane...items." A devious glimmer is in his eyes.

"I will come along too. We've proven to be quite a good team so far, and 100 gold is quite a sum." 

"So we're delivering the old fellow a letter, but returning here for payment," Hush says to confirm, "But then we're also heading further on than that to see Juno in this Morka tribe and she'll pay us when we get there for that errand?" He looks to the others, "Well, magic items sounds interesting. That's my thought. Do you have any more information on this Juno?" He says, turning back to Miko.

Miko nods in response to Hush's questions. "Those are the tasks I ask you to accomplish. Juno is a dark-skinned woman, quite short. She wears large, golden earrings - I'm not sure what to expect from the Morka, but she tends to stand out." She frowns, seemingly remembering something. "Before I forget, two others came in earlier, looking for work. Do you mind adding another two to your numbers? The woods can be dangerous, even with four." Miko stands and leans back, striking quite the imposing figure. "I am afraid I have items to make. Can't keep those Imperials waiting," she snorts. 

Lazarus considers the possibility of reinforcements to the group. He's been feeling a little uneasy, due to being the only Imperial in the party so far. 

"Who are these two people that you have hired? We could always use some help, even if it means splitting our coin in the end." 

"One's a Cleric, I believe. Other's a mercenary of sorts. Not particularly sure - they should be coming around any time soon," Miko replies. "I look forward to hearing back about your journey. Maybe you'll be able to buy some of my equipment, eh? I don't make cheap gear." 

(Miko sells any basic weapons and armor listed in the PHB. She will occasionally have magically enhanced weapons for an additional price.)