It's early evening in the docklands which is traditionally called the Old City. The Dregs are going about their business as usual while the four of you gather in a tavern, the Red Lion, which is the unofficial base for the gang. It’s a narrow building made of gray brick like most of the buildings that surrounded it in hugs the canal side with a cart wide lane outside the front door. These buildings old and are all very narrow with few windows. A common sight in the remnants of the Old City where the tax of a building was once assessed by its width and  the number of windows! The Red Lion isn't the most imposing building but it is located at the main junction of the Grand and Central canals and sees plenty of traffic from both canals as well as the harbor nearby. Inside safe from the torrential downpour, it’s been raining for a week, the party sits sightly bored awaiting Kaz’s okay to get going. The heist had been planned for that night. The Dreg’s inside informant, a halfling lady’s maid of the Virago named Grace Copperpot, has yet to arrive as promised to head the party. The Red Lion is only the third business the Kaz and the Dregs have in the Old City. Nearer to the Century Market, now the border of the Old and New City stands the Dregs largest business. A gambling hall, the Silver Lotus. You all know for a fact Kaz rather make a coin off the new marks coming into town looking to spend than anyone planning to linger more than a few nights. Regulars weren’t usually encouraged in any of his gambling establishments but the Lion usually did have a couple of patrons not officially in the Dregs. These regular folk could be trusted to bring information for a pint or two and keep the city watch from looking too closely at the Lion's other clientele.

Looking at the area of the Red Lion where the party knows Kaz sits the curtains finally part. Kaz has finished his dinner and beckons all of you to join him now. He has a drink in hand as the bar staff clears his table. Kaz smiles at each of you with his usual casual confidence. To look at him Kazuko Stagwell is a handsome man of Sakhalin descent. Some more travel amongst you know these are islands in the Verra Sea once ripe for slavers but have since won their independence for the now outlaws trade. Kaz is wearing his usual fine leathers with elaborate scrollwork and a typical purple tunic embroidered with silver dragons beneath it. His gleaning silver hilt rapier is at his side and you know, from experience, the man has at least six pearl-handled daggers hidden on his person for 'aggressive negotiations he joked.

“She’s late,” Kaz sighs annoyed as you all sit at his table. "I guess we can take this time for you all to ask any more questions about what you’re doing tonight,” he says with a cocked eyebrow looking around the table as he leans back in his chair with his usual air of confidence.

The maps for the Virago's house lay on the bar from the sewer level entry point, a basement level, and two floors of living space all provided by Grace Copperpot. The corner where Kaz and the party are now tucked is free from prying eyes. A curtained alcove that he does his business from. Inside the alcove not far from his side sits his younger sister Koharu, who the Dreg’s nickname ‘the Shadow’. The younger woman perches in a window sill haloed by the full moon outside as rain patters against the glass. She’s sipping a cup of hot tea as her twin brother Kotaro, whose face is smudged with soot, finishes his dinner happily. The younger man woofs a bowl of rice noodles in a spicy red soup. Kotaro had arrived with Kaharu from his workshop not far away from the Lion having brought some treats for the party as promised that Kaz had yet to pass out. Koharu too had already been out in the city that evening scouting out your future path. Her black hood had water beading off the waxed fabric but she does not remove it. She watches the party from beneath the hood with her dark coal-black eyes barely visible from the light the window cast on her. This is her usual place, but she doesn’t address anyone. Most of you know Kohuru rarely spoke. The younger woman just remains in her place sipping her tea as Kotaro, who all the party knows is a loveable inventor who's more interested in gadgets than his older brother's machinations. He just gleefully slurps his noodles loudly and nods as the party settles around the Stagwells.

OOC: Please follow rolled order so you all can check-in and not double post questions/greets etc...

“I choose you all from the rest of the crew because you’re new. Your faces have yet to be connected directly with the Dregs and to my knowledge not one of you has been arrested yet working for me,” Kaz explains a fact all of you already know. “If this job goes well not only will you be a full fledged member of the Dregs but you’ll finally get my mark. You’ll be in the family,” he says pulling up his sleeve and there on his forearm are three stars which are a birthmark for him but you know will become a tattoo for you. Each of the stars progressively larger than the next but not larger than a religious amulet. “Not to mention be richly rewarded for your troubles,” he finishes grinning as he smooths his mustache. “So, what’s on everyone’s minds this evening,” he asks looking curiously at each of you sipping his drink.

OOC: You all know the heist job is worth 2,000 gold a piece as well as all the protection and clout joining the Dregs officially brings. You have maps of the floors you’ll need to search but the informant said she was not sure where her mistress was keeping the emerald having seen it once before but not again. The maid assured you that it’s in the house. The Virago is using it for something magical but she did not elaborate on what that was exactly.

Anthix gives a small nod and smile towards Koharu before turning his own attention back to Kaz. The smile still broad across the yuan-ti's face, his white dreads pulled back in a messy put together pony tail. Wearing simple leather and cloth top and simple pants much for easy movment and silence one could assume.

"well I must say being late is not the best of ways to start us off but better late then never one says"  a slight chuckle leaving the lips of the man taking a sip of some tea he had gotten, looking the group over once before turning back to Kaz. "aside from the information we have is there anything else we might need to potentially go over concerning security or guards of sorts? I mean I just got my hair finished and would hate to get it filthy!" a grin spreading across his face a hint of sass in the statement. The candle light inside reflecting a bit off the scales that were scattered over his body that could be seen. 

Astrid’s mind wanders a bit, wondering what else she might discover in Viola Sheridan’s private collection..? She is just a bit above average height for a human female, dressed in drab-coloured leathers. Nondescript shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes, and an expression that does not seem to lend itself to smiling. 

Anthix’s voice brings her back to the business at hand, and when she speaks up, her own voice is filled with more presence than one would expect from looking at her:

”It is not a good sign, that our informant has not shown. Perhaps her duplicity has been discovered? As for this Virago...  is she expected to be in residence at the time of our entry? Do we have intelligence on when she will be out, and when she might return? Or if she is expected to be there, which part of the residence she will occupy?”

(Astrid holds her tongue, but thinks it would be wiser to abort the action, or at least defer it until these things are sorted.) And do I really want this guy’s ink under my skin..?

"I suspect Ms. Copperpot is having trouble getting to the tavern," Kaz glancing at Kohuru who's already leapt soundlessly from the window sill and on her way out. "As I said before there are six guards that patrol the house," Kaz begins again. "Ms. Copperpot gave us these," he adds gesturing at two maps the servant had left from their first meeting. "She's got the rest of the information you need," he adds with a nod. "She knows the stakes if she doesn't show," he adds his jovial resting expression flickers darkly before he recomposes himself. "Any one else," he asks.

Sewers

Basement

OOC: The party knows the 6 guards that patrol the grounds but the rotation changes each evening as a precaution of the Virago's paranoia. There are also magical traps, locked doors, and many other temptations in the house. The party can ONLY take the emerald not wasting time on anything else. In then out!

"The lady is gone out for the evening and will be gone overnight for the gala at the merchant's guild. The house has no other occupations but the servants who remain in their rooms for the fear of the security the Virgo uses in the house," Kaz answers Astrid.

Quendar emerges from the seat he had chosen in the shadows, and extends his slim, 5'11" frame to its tallest extent. As he cross to get a better glimpse of the maps, his obsidian-black skin shines in the lamp light. His icy white and silver hair absorbs the light but gives little back. As the light plays across his features, it's clear he's a dark elf.

He puts a manicured hand down on one edge of the map and turns it slightly before looking up at Kaz.

"Are their any limits on the actions you would like us to take?" Quendar asks in a soft voice. "Moving in and out without being noticed would be preferred, but if the unfortunate arises and we must dispatch the guards, will that be a problem?"

Quendar carefully watches Kaz's eyes and face for an answer, not carrying much for what words are spoken but more interested in his first reaction.

"Has our dear informant been able to mark which rooms house the servants?"

While waiting for answers, Quendar looks at the others. He recognizes them but has yet to make an opinion of them.

Tyril wondered to himself why it's always the smallest of beings that are chosen last in the party. He sighed to himself and scratched the top of his head. He climbed atop a chair and stood on it to be the same height as everyone else. His short cropped hair was messy, green eyes darting to those around him. Lizard, Human, Elf. Noted. They all looked like they could handle themselves... Well probably why they are all here... 

Alright make a good first impression Tyril!

His eyes flashed over the siblings and he stood a little taller, granted can't stand much taller than 3'8''. He nodded politely to the siblings across the room and focused his attention back to the group.

He leans over and opens his mouth to a toothy grin, a gap between his front teeth that you could slip a silver piece through. 

"How come the only one whose cracked a joke has such a tough hide" He chuckled to himself after winking at the large Lizardkin, "Apologies Kaz... Just a little jittery with excitement tonight!"

"tough exterior sometimes house the softest of hearts my dear friend" he smiles and nevel once let's his gaze fall from. Kaz, studying the man over, remembering all his features and any other details. 

"now I'm sure silance would be to the utmost key in somthing along this line but you do have a point with the guards and possibly having to take them out as well... Will that cause a problem?" his head tilts to the side slightly as he continues to sip at the cup in his hands. 

"Leave as little trace as possible. Killing working men isn't our way. Bribed a few to look the other way or knock them out but killing them is a last resort," Kaz replies with a curt nod.

OOC: Quendar give me a insight check.

"The servants are in the bit of the house you won't be searching. It's getting inside, getting past the safeguards, finding the stone, and then getting out," Kaz begins again. "There's plenty of things you'll could come across that you might like to line your pockets with but I guarantee you'll get plenty of loot working for me than trying to steal from the Virago too," he adds grinning. "She got the stone by thievery so she can't expect to keep it," he warns with a wink taking a sip of his drink. "Now anything else? There's plenty we don't know I will remind you but with Ms. Copperpot's arrival more will be revealed," he nods, "but a night like this won't come again for a long while yet," he adds.

”No problem for him. We are not yet associated with the Dregs. It’s how we landed this sweet gig.”

Astrid permits herself a brief, wry smile. Perhaps she is not entirely without humor.

Quendar Insight: 8  

Quendar nods as Kaz instructs them to avoid permanently hurting the guards. Always good to know what makes the one hiring you tick.

"If we leave other plainly valuable items and only take the emerald, is there not an increased probability of Virago surmising whom is behind her misfortune?" Quendar asks. "It is no secret that you have a code of honor you adhere to."

"She knows half the Old City is after it," Kaz replies. He seems confident revealing little else but bravado. "If you're caught by the way you all know not go mention me or the Dregs. I'll get you out but if you give me away you'll rot in Hellgate without my help," he adss curtly.

You all know "Hellgate" is the nickname for the island off the coast which was really a barren rock a prison was carved out of which was originally Halegate Island.

Quendar leaves the topic rest. He could point out that half the city may be after it, but only a Dreg would leave other valuables behind, but what would be the point. He will cross that chasm when he gets to it.

"It would seem Ms Copperpot is unwilling or unable to attend this evening," Quendar says. "Perhaps we should get going without her. Unfortunately evening does not last forever. I would prefer not to have to finish this endeavor in daylight." 

As the tall Lizardkin spoke, Tryil couldn't help but grimace slightly. He had never killed anyone, but making someone think you have killed someone often works just as well. He adjusted his necklace and tugged his cloak a little tighter. 

Tyril glanced over at the woman and gave her a smirk. Two out of Three with humor isn't too bad. He gave her a quick once over, he looked forward to what she could do. 

Tyril opened his arms wide and gave a gentle nudge to the dark-elf's arm, "Listen here friend, Kaz and the Dregs are giving us a chance to really be something in this town!" He swallowed hard hoping his smile would cover his shaky hand, the adrenaline was coursing through his body at the mention of 'Hellgate'. "I'm sure between the four of us, we can slueth, steal, and charm our way out even if we run into to trouble... Hells... I could charm the snakes from a snake charmer... errr.. no offense friend!"

"The Dark-Elf does make a point though Kaz... Darkness is our friend and our friend is running out of time!"

It's been roughly 20 minutes since Copperpot was late. It's still early evening as in darkness is still slipping over the city.

"I'm well aware of the time gentlemen," Kaz replies coolly looking towards the door as Kohuru appears with a halfling woman who looks a bit frazzled and drown by the rain. "Now that our guest has arrived have you anything to ask her," he adds gesturing for the halfling to be brought ahead and Kohuru complies without touching the halfling.

Grace Cooperpot walks forward her hood drawn up before removing it to reveal a mouse brown haired young woman of no remarkable look or demeanor. Her eyes dart around the party before fixing on Kaz.

"There's been a bit of a hiccup," Grace says holding up a trembling finger.

Kohuru steps forward leaning beside Kaz and whispers in his ear. The man is expressionless only occasionally nodding before Kohuru finishes leaving his side and returning to her perch behind him.

"And that would be Ms. Copperpot," Kaz asks with a smirk and a cocked eyebrow.

"We'll I've decided I can go with you to a point but it's best I return to my rooms so if...your...associates are discovered I won't be implicated and I can still gather information for you to pay off my debt...," she stops when Kaz raises his hand.

"I don't like last minute changes or people who hold up my business," Kaz begins his tone cool. "I see the...worry," he says the last word with relish before continuing, "our transactions have caused but your husband still survives in Hellgate because of my connections," Kaz explains as if reminding Grace where she stands as well as a warning. Grace looks absolutely trembling with nerves. "I bought his debts for a reason and I think you're receiving fair return on my investments in you," he adds. "You'll get my associates upstairs and then certainly I agree you should move along as to not get mixed up should they fail but I don't think they will," he adds confidently. "As for their search upstairs they'll search the..." he trails off curiously looking at her to reply.

"The library and her salon but I'm sure it's in her basement laboratory," Grace quickly recovers from her nerves. "I...yes well shouldn't we get going," she then asks nervously looking over the party before returning her gaze to Kaz as if to be dismissed.

"Questions for Ms. Copperpot," Kaz asks next as Kotaro looks up from his third bowl of noodles as if to speak but remains quiet when Kaz holds up his finger ro his little brother. "Them Taro," Kaz grumbles as Potato sighs loudly into his noodles as Kaz looks over the party. "Oh by the way this is what you're are all going after encase you've forgotten," he says holding out his hand and conjures [spell]silent image[/roll] of the emerald which is roughly the size of Tyril's head!

OOC: Ok so just NOW realize my image hosting site still has the unlabeled maps so I'll have to update those but anything else y'all think we relevant to ths heist.

"my my what a lovely gem" looks and studies the image before turning my attention to the drenched woman. "you listed three places to look at and try to find this but you sound most confident that it's in this so-called "Laboratory" what makes you think that it's in there compared to the other two places?"

shifts slightly as I pivot in my seat hearing Kotaro sigh turning to him with a slight smile of apologies to him curious what he might have to say as well once he gets the chance. 

Quendar turns his head to the side as he examines the image of the emerald, judging the size of it and imagining it sitting in his hand.

He then looks over at the yuan-ti as he questions Copperpot.

"More importantly, my dear Ms Copperpot" Quendar begins, "do you know what protections have been put in place? And better yet, do you have means in which to evade such protections?"

He watches Copperpot as she speaks, wondering if her anxiousness is just cold feet and fear of her employer or if she's hiding something more.

Insight: 13  

Quendar it seems Kaz is impossible to read.

"She's using it in her experiments," Grace replies to Anthix. Looking at Quendar she continues. "There's magic everywhere but the the kinds change like the guards. My mistress is...cautious," she adds. "There will be glyphs, traps, and other hidden safeguards. She even sets them against us," Grace points to herself with a frown. "As I am here now...I guess I can't blame her," she frowns again.

Astrid approaches Grace, stooping somewhat so that her eyes are close to the halfling’s. ”I have only one question for you. Does your mistress suspect your disloyalty? Beyond a general paranoia regarding her security, does she know you have betrayed her?”

Insight 3

OOC: Maybe my persuasion can help out...?

Tyril glanced over Grace, another commoner who has succumbed to another's failure. He scratched the back of his head and walked beside Astrid. 

"You'll have to excuse the lovely lady, we simply wish to make our jobs smoother and if our jobs go smoothly, I'll be sure to help pay towards your husbands debt..." He glanced over his shoulder at Kaz with a wink, "I'll chip in 25% of my earning from this towards his debt..." His eyes went soft as he touched Grace and Astrid's shoulders, "I think we can be amicable here friends"

Persuasion: 15

"the night isn't going to get any younger my friends, I think we might need to start heading there... We got a gem to snag" stretches ym shoulders a bit and neck, getting a slight crack from them as I stsrt to get quite excited about the gem and the challenge before us.